"FOR    GOD'S    SAKE    DON'T    LET    THEM    TAKE    MY    FLAG." 
"  Feeble  and  trembling  poor  Frank  tred  to  write  his  name. 
"  The  left  hand  fell  upon  the  bed  and  he  could  not  urge  the  poor,  brave  man  to 
any  rr.ote  exertion.1' 


CAMP  AND  FIELD  LIFE 

OF  THE 

FIFTH  NEW  YORK 
VOLUNTEER   INFANTRY 

(DURYEE  ZOUAVES.) 

BY 

ALFRED    DAVENPORT. 
II 


NEW  YORK  : 
DICK    AND    FITZGERALD, 

'  I  8     ANN     STREET. 
1879. 


H 


COPYRIGHT,  1879, 
BY  ALFRED    DAVENPORT. 


CONTENTS. 


LETTERS 9 

PREFACE 13 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE    DRUM-BEAT. 

Fort  Suinter— The  Attack— The  Evacuation— The  President's  Proc- 
lamation— Letter  by  the  Secretary  of  War — Governor  Morgan's 
Proclamation — Call  of  the  Adjutant-General,  State  of  New  York. .  17 

CHAPTER  IT. 

FROM  NEW  YORK  TO  VIRGINIA. 

Organization — Fort  Sehuyler— First  Experiences — Our  Quarters — 
The  Men  of  the  Regiment— Sunday  at  the  Fort  -The  First  Gun 
from  Fort  Sehuyler— A  Police  Deserter— The  Ranks  Filled— Tak- 
ing the  Oath — Flag  Presentation — Color  Sergeant — Striking  our 
Tents — Reception  in  New  York — Moonlight  Departure — Arrival 
at  Fortress  Monroe — Deserted  Village — Our  First  Bivouac — Hamp- 
ton Bridge  Burned 23 

CHAPTER  III. 

OUR  FIRST    CAMP  IN  VIRGINIA. 

Kilpatrick's  First  Raid— An  Alarm  at  Midnight— A  Photograph  of 
Camp  Life — Battalion  Drill — Kilpatrick's  First  Adventure — Cap- 
tain Hiram  Duryca — Lieutenant  Jacob  Duryee — Several  Expedi- 
tions— Sunday  Service — Our  Chaplain — Lieutenant-Colonel  Warren 
— Adjutant  Hamblin — The  Location — A  Storm— Off  Duty — Fox 
Hill  Expedition  —  Lieutenant-Colonel  Warren's  Report  —  Corre- 
spondence of  the  New  York  Times 34 

CHAPTER    IV. 

BIG  BETHEL. 

Sunday  Evening  Orders — Our  Comrade? — A  Loyal  Negro— Captain 
Kilpatrick's  Advance — A  Virginia  Prisoner— A  Fatal  Mistake — 

(3) 


4  Contents. 

Big  Bethel— A  Wounded  Comrade— A  Soldier's  Tribute— Death 
of  Lieutenant  Greble— Honorable  Mention — A  Naval  Commander 
— Correspondence  of  the  New  York  Tribune — Mag  of  Truce 49 

CHAPTER  V. 

LIFE  AT  CAMP  HAMILTON. 

Fortress  Monroe— Incidents  of  Camp  Life — Drummed  Out — Any 
Port  in  a  Storm — Serious  Accident — How  to  Find  a  Horse — Con- 
traband Wit— A  Graceful  Digger— Mrs.  Kilpatrick— Notes  from 
the  Journal — On  Guard  by  Moonlight — Huts  in  the  Woods — A 
"Fez"  Stolen  by  Mosquitoes — A  Comet — How  wo  Spent  Inde- 
pendence Day — Our  Postponed  Celebration — A  Fairy  Scene — Do- 
nations— Discharges  and  Recruits — A  New  Flag — Beautifying  the 
Camp — Losing  Blood — A  Lost  Sentinel — Reports  of  the  Battle  of 
Bull  Run — Embarking  for  Baltimore 74 

CHAPTER  VI. 

LIFE  AT  BALTIMORE. 

Arrival  at  Baltimore — Camp  at  Federal  Hill— Zouaves  at  Large — 
Penalties  for  Pastimes — Making  a  Camp — Visitors — A  Baltimore 
Journal  Speaks — Running  Guard — "Joe"  Knott — Changes  in  the 
Regiment — A  Revolt  Subdued — The  Guard-house  and  its  Advent- 
ures— An  Illumination — A  Charge — Fort-building — Rebel  Recruits 
Disappointed — Our  Bathing  Ground— The  Battle  at  the  Pump — 
Camp  Ballads  of  the  Fifth — Colonel  Duryce  Promoted— An  Un- 
successful Trip — Changes  in  the  Regiment — Progress  of  the  Fort 
— How  the  Days  were  Spent — Captain  Hamblin's  Departure — 
Regimental  Dogs — A  Loyal  Newfoundland—  Zonave  Song  by  a 
Drummer  Boy — Maggie  Mitchell — Blowing  Out  the  Lights — A 
Drum  Major's  Joke — An  Expedition — Building  the  Ban-acts — 
Thanksgiving  Day — An  Elopement 91 

CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  EASTERN   SHORE — LITE  AT  BALTIMORE. 

The  Eastern  Shore — Objects  of  the  Expedition — A  Proclamation  by 
General  Dix — "Marching  Along  !" — A  Surprised  Zouave — Rebel 
Spirit  and  Rebel  Spirits— A  Soldiers'  Reunion— Rebel  Visitors 
Singing  the  Star  Spangled  Banner — Return  of  the  Expedition — 
Results — A  Sociable  Parade-  Rebel  Flag  Reversed — Recruiting — 
Opening  the  Barracks— "Fort  Federal  Hill  "—Second  Year  of  the 
War— Our  Surgeon — A  Surgical  Duelist — Running  the  Guard — 
"The  Zouave  House"— A  Musical  Masked  Battery— Flag  Preseu- 


Contents.  5 

tation  by  the  Ladies  of  South  Baltimore— Address  by  John  Willis, 
Esq. — Colonel  Warren's  Reply — A  Grand  Ball  at  Headquarters — 
Fort  Marshall — Washington's  Birthday — An  Indignant  Zouave — 
Grand  City  Ball— A  Military  Execution— Attack  Threatened— The 
Merrimac — Change  of  Base— Ho  for  Fortress  Monroe  ! — Farewell 
to  Baltimore  —Our  Farewell  Entertainment — Relieved  by  the  Third 
New  York — Falling  into  Line — March  through  Baltimore — Excit- 
ing Scenes— Farewell  Song 135 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  PENINSULAR  CAMPAIGN. 

The  Trip  to  Virginia — Scene  at  Hampton  Roads — Changes — Camp 
Misery— Peep  at  Big  Bethel— Prime  Rations  for  Six— New  Toik 
Times  Correspondent — General  McClellan's  Report— Camp  Scott- 
Corduroy  and  Ditch  -Headquarters— California  Jack  -The  Fourth 
Michigan— First  Death  by  Sickness— General  McClellan's  Head- 
quarters— An  Officer's  Letter — Letter  from  a  Private — Fire  and 
Fun  in  the  Dark— A  Strategic  Pig— Siege  Preparations— Battery 
No.  1 — General  Barry's  Letter — Camp  Warren— After  the  Battle — 
Camp  Buchanan — A  Promise  of  Battle — March  in  the  Shadows- 
Magnificent  Spectacle — A  Night  View  of  the  Camp  at  Pamunkey 
River — Drooping  Skies  and  a  Dripping  Army — Review  by  Hon. 
Win.  H.  Seward — Deserted  Territory — Nearing  the  White  House 
—Stragglers— "Dr."  Warren  and  his  "Pills''— The  Sick  List— 
The  Colonel's  Order  and  a  Donkey's  Reply 154: 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  PENINSULAR  CAMPAIGN — (Continued). 

Pamunkey  Bridge— Crossing  the  Bridge— Killed  at  his  Birthplace— 
The  Rebels  Retire — Rebel  Communication  Broken — An  Astonished 
Negro — A  Descendant  of  Patrick  Henry — Return  to  Camp— Han- 
over Court-house — Captain  Griffin's  Brazen  Pet — After  the  Battle 
— Burying  the  Dead — Result — A  Raid  and  a  Capture — A  Recon- 
noissance — Back  to  Old  Church — What  we  Fought  for  at  Hanover 
— The  Chickahominy — New  Bridge— A  Donation  of  Flour — A 
Speculation  in  Doughnuts — Sal  Eratus  and  what  She  Did — A  Pair 
of  Shoes — Sleeping  under  Arms — General  McClellan's  Address  to 
the  Army — General  Sykes'  Speech— Picket  at  New  Bridge — Review 
by  General  Prim — Masking  a  Battery  at  Night — Stuart's  Cavalry 
on  a  Raid  . .  .180 


6  Contents. 

CHAPTER  x. 

THE  SEVEN  DAYS'   BETKEAT. 

BatiU  of  Oaines1  Mill— Anniversary  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill- 
Then  and  Now — Freedom  against  Slavery — Sanitary  Condition  of 
the  Regiment — Picket  Duty — A  Sabbath  Journal— Death  of  Ser- 
geant Reynolds— Seven  Days'  Retreat— Fifth  Corps  Engaged- 
Battle  of  Games'  Mill— Death  of  Captain  Partridge— Color  Sergeant 
Berrian— A  Charge  in  the  Woods— A  Rebel  Trick— The  Field  at 
Night— Losses— Testimony  of  the  Officers— Official  Reports— Con- 
federate Reports — Incidents — William  McDowell — "Dave"  Burns 
—Walter  S.  Colby— Francis  Spellman— Sad  Separations— Colonel 
Warren's  Report— General  Sykes'  Report 198 

CHAPTER  XI. 

MALVERN  HILL— HARRISON'S  LANDING. 

White  Oak  Swamp— Charles  City  Cross-roads— General  Kearney— 
Malvern  Hill — A  Desperate  Struggle — Rebel  Repulse— Retreat 
from  Malvern  Hill — The  Rain  and  the  Roads — An  Incident — A 
Life  Saved  bjr  a  Stratagem — Keport  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  H.  Dur- 
yea — Letter  from  Surgeon  Joseph  S.  Smith — Harrison's  Landing 
— The  Camping-Ground — Want  of  Water— A  Review  by  President 
Lincoln — Moving  our  Camp — Reviewed  by  General  McClellan — 
Resignation  of  Captain  Cambrelling — Changes— Health  of  the 
Army — Hospital  Grounds — A  Death  by  Poison — Improved  Diet — 
A  Rebel  Salute— Death  in  a  Tent— Pine  Woods  Experience- 
Knapsacks  Forwarded — A  Night  March — Crossing  the  Chicka- 
hominy — Negro  Messenger  Shot — Soldier  Hospitality  Refused- 
Newport  News — The  March  to  Manassas  Junction — On  the  Bat- 
tle-field   240 

CHAPTER  XII. 

SECOND  BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN. 

The  Field— Distribution  of  Forces— The  Henry  House— Position  of 
the  Fifth — Generals  Jackson  and  Longstreet — The  Fifth  Engaged 
—Fearful  Slaughter— Allison,  the  Color-Bearer,  Killed— Annihila- 
tion of  our  Color  Company— Bald  Ridge — The  Texans— "  Don't  let 
them  take  my  Flag!" — Overpowering  numbers— "Let  there  be 
no  Faltering  in  this  Line!" — A  Zouave  Targeted— A  Rout — A 
Terrible  Scene — The  Remnant  of  our  Regiment— After  the  Battle 
— Colonel  Warren's  Report — General  Pope's  Report — Personal 
Sketches  and  Incidents— Spellman — Chambers — McDowell — Wil- 
son— Eager  —  Sapher — Humanity  —  Stonewall  Jackson  —  James 


Contents.  *] 

Cathey,  a  Strange  Coincidence—  A  Rifle  Shot-  James  Patterson  — 
Pollard's  Testimony  —  Bullwinkle—  Sturgess—  Tyndall—  Strachan 
—  Huntsman  —  A  Walk  among  the  Graves  —  Faulk's  Letter  —  Con- 
federate Testimony  —  March  to  Fairfax  —  McDowell's  Brother  — 
General  McClellan's  Return  to  the  Command—  Near  Frederick 
City  ..........  .....  .............................................  269 


CHAPTER 

BATTLE    OF  ANTJETAM. 

The  Confederate  Successes—  Virginia  versus  The  Cotton  States—  The 
Battle  of  Antietam—  The  Enemy  Retires—  General  McClellan's  Re- 
port —  Crossing  the  Potomac—  Battle  of  Shepardstown  —  Tenth 
New  York  Regiment  Transferred  —  Scarcity  of  Supplies  —  A  Mixed 
Uniform  —  Penalties  of  Old  Clothes  —  A  Bread  Speculation  —  A 
Whisky  Smuggle  —  A  Drill  Challenge  Accepted—  Crossing  at  Har- 
per's Ferry  —  Colonel  O'Rourke,  of  the  140th  New  York  —  Snicker's 
Gap—  Warrenton  —  A  Secessionist  Town  —  Farewell  Review  by  Gen- 
eral McClellan—  General  Burnside  in  Command—  The  146th  New 
York  —  Warrenton  Junction  —  Spotted  Tavern-  The  Henry  House 
—  Resignation  of  Colonel  Hiram  Duryea  —  Changes  in  the  Regi- 
ment—Before the  Battle  .................  ...............  •  ____  ....  310 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

BATTLE   OF  FREDERICKSBURG. 

In  Sight  of  Fredericksburg—  The  Pontoon  —  The  Burning  City  —  The 
Position  —  Across  the  River—  Marye's  Hill  —  A  Description  by  the 
Philadelphia  Times—  The  Attack—  The  Enemy's  Batteries—  The 
Slaughter  Path  —  French's  Division  —  Hooker's  Charge  —  Howard- 
at  the  Front  —  Humphreys'  Division  —  Sykes'  Division  —  The  Dead 
and  Wounded—  Warren's  Brigade—  The  Brigade  of  Death—  The 
Compte  de  Paris  —  The  Fifth  in  a  Garden—  Our  Regulars  Severely 
Placed—  The  Gloom  Pall—  Forlorn  Hope—  Strategy  —  Intrench- 
ments  at  Night—  Covering  the  Retreat  —  The  Last  Man  Crossed  — 
The  Pontoon  Lifted—  Incidents—  Henry  House—  General  Sykes' 
Order  ..........................................................  338 

CHAPTER  XV. 

BATTLE  OF  CHANCELLOKSV1LLE  —  OUR  LAST  STRUGGLE. 

The  New  Year—  The  Situation—  Death  of  Captain  Curtwright—  Mor- 
tality— Desertions—  The  Disloyal  Press  of  the  North—  The  Sol- 
diers' Sentiment  —  An  Army  of  Water-Carriers  —  The  Mud  March  — 
Resignation  of  General  Burnside  —  General  Hooker  in  Command  — 
Picketed  in  Ice—  A  Death  in  -Hospital—  A  Suicide—  General  War- 


8  Contents. 

ren  Promoted— A  Deserted  Mansion— Provost  Guard— Death  of 
Nicholas  Hoy t— Better  Supplies— A  Square  Meal— Cavalry  Skir- 
mish— St.  Patrick's  Day  in  the  Ninth  Massachusetts — Cavalry 
Fight— A  Spy— A  Smoky  Chimney— A  Crippled  Shoemaker  on 
"Jeff"  Davis— Annihilating  the  Men  of  the  South— A  Review— 
Hybernating  under  Ground— Easter— Review  by  President  Lin- 
coln—The Two  Tears'  Men— Growling— Review  by  Generals  Tog- 
liardi  and  Meade— An  Exploded  Shell— The  Time  Fixed— Kelly's 
Ford — Ely's  Ford — Approaching  Fredericksburg — Battle  of  Chan- 
cellors ville — Eighth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry — The  Enemy  Repulsed 
— Jackson's  Attack  on  Howard — Sickles — Slocum — French — Chan- 
cellor House  Burnt — Woods  on  Fire — The  Two  Years'  Men  Re- 
lieved— Parting  with  Old  Comrades — Aquia  Creek — Hospitality  of 
the  21st  New  York— Washington— Baltimore— Philadelphia— Jer- 
sey City— New  York— Our  Reception— New  York  Times— The 
Fourth  Regiment— Mustered  Out— In  the  Battle  of  Life 361 

APPENDIX. 

Casualties 399 

Statistics 418 

Biographies  of  Officers 423 

Names  of  Officers 475 

Colonel  Robert  C.  Buchanan,  U.  S.  A 485 

Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Chapman,  U.  S.  A 4.85 


LETTERS. 


ORANGE,  Dec.  5,  1877. 
ALFRED  DAVENPORT,  ESQ.,  NEW  YORK  : 

MY  DEAR  SIR  : — Yours  of  the  4th  is  received.  I  am  very  glad 
to  learn  that  you  are  engaged  upon  the  history  of  the  5th  New 
York.  The  gallant  services  of  that  admirable  regiment  on  so 
many  fields  certainly  merit  being  handed  down,  and  form  no  un- 
important portion  of  the  history  of  the  war.  The  pride  and  in- 
terest I  have  always  felt  in  the  regiment,  since  it  first  came  under 
my  command,  will  make  your  work  dearly  gratifying  to  me. 
In  haste,  very  truly  yours, 

GEO.  B.  MCCLELLAN. 


NEW  YORK,  January  26,  1878. 
ALFRED  DAVENPORT,  ESQ.  : 

DEAR  SIR: — I  have  received  your  note  of  the  I4th  inst.  in- 
forming me  that  you  have  undertaken  the  work  of  preserving  the 
record  of  the  5th  New  York  Infantry,  and  am  greatly  pleased  to 
learn  of  your  undertaking.  Though  my  connection  with  the 
regiment  was  brief,  extending  only  from  April  to  July,  1861,  I 
have  always  preserved  the  kindest  memories  of  my  friends  and 
comrades  of  the  Fifth,  and  felt  pride  in  knowing  that  I  had  been 
a  member  of  so  gallant  and  distinguished  an  organization. 

I  know  of  no  regiment  that  had  a  better  record  for  courage, 
gallantry,  discipline,  and  faithful  service  throughout  the  war,  and 


IO  Letters. 

the  men  and  officers  well  deserve  to  have  a  complete  and  correct 
record  of  their  deeds  preserved  to  their  country. 

I  shall  await  the  publication  of  the  work  with  great  interest, 
and  will  much  enjoy  its  perusal. 

Remain,  etc., 

H.  E.  DAVIES,  JR., 
Late  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols. 


FORT  BROWN,  TEXAS,  April  15,  1878. 
MR.  A.  DAVENPORT,  NEW  YORK  : 

DEAR  SIR  : — An  absence  of  more  than  two  months  from  this 
Post  must  be  my  excuse  for  not  having  sooner  answered  your 
letter.  I  am  very  sorry  that  1  can  not  send  you  the  "  order  "  you 
wish.  It  should  be  among  the  records  of  the  2cl  Division,  5th 
Army  Corps,  but  they,  as  you  are  aware,  did  not  go  with  me 
when  I  succeeded  General  Meade  in  command  of  the  corps.  It 
is  barely  possible  that  General  Warren,  U.  S.  Engineer,  now  at 
Newport,  Rhode  Island,  might  furnish  you  with  it. 

My  opinion  of  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers  never  changed. 
I  doubt  whether  it  had  an  equal,  certainly  no  superior  among  all 
the  regiments  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Its  death-roll  and 
list  of  casualties  will  tell  how  and  where  it  stood  better  than  any 
words  of  its  commanders.  /  have  always  maintained  it  to  be 
the  best  volunteer  organization  I  ever  knew. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

GEORGE  SYKES. 


In  reply  to  a  letter  from  the  author  to  General  Hooker, 
he  speaks  as  follows  : 

GARDEN  CITY,  L.  I.,  N.  Y.,  June  2,  1878. 
MR.  A.  DAVENPORT  : 

....  May  each   and   all  long  live    to    enjoy  the    fruit   of 
their  noble  works.     You  tell  me  that  General  Sykes  once  had 


Letters.  1 1 

your  regiment  in  his  command,  and  that  you  have  the  testimony 
of  that  gifted  soldier  as  to  your  discipline  and  conduct.  This  is 
proof,  of  the  most  satisfactory  character,  of  the  high  claims  of 
your  regiment  to  its  soldiership  and  noble  bearing.  You  could 
furnish  me  with  no  higher  authority  in  our  army,  and  this  opinion 
is  cherished,  of  that  officer,  by  all  his  associates  in  arms,  not  only 
in  our  last  war,  but  also  that  of  the  war  in  Mexico. 

Let  me  say,  then,  through  you,  to  your  regiment,  that  it  is 
almost  their  duty  to  themselves  and  to  their  old  commander  to 
cherish  and  preserve  every  syllable  he  ever  uttered  in  their  com- 
mendation. 

General  Sykes  never  was  much  of  a  blower  for  himself,  but 
whenever  heavy  work  had  to  be  done  he  was  a  perfect  wheel-horse 
in  battle  or  out  of  it. 

Sincerely  yours, 

J.  HOOKER,  Maj.-Gen. 


The  following  communication,  by  George  L.  Catlin,  Esq., 
United  States  Consul,  La  Rochelle,  France,  was  addressed 
to  the  COMPTE  DE  PARIS  : 

CONSULAT  GENERAL  DES  ETATS  UNTS  \ 

D'AMERIQUE,  3  RUE  SCRIBE,  PARIS, 

le  30  Mai,  1878  i 
MONSEIGNEUR   LE  COMPTE  DE  PARIS  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  address  you  in  compliance  with  the  request 
of  Mr.  Davenport,  of  New  York,  who  is  engaged  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  a  history  of  the  volunteer. regiment  from  that  city,  known 
as  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers  (Duryee  Zouaves).  Both  he 
and  I  served  in  that  command,  which,  you  may  remember,  was 
brigaded  with  the  regular  troops  under  General  Sykes  ;  and  Mr. 
Davenport  writes  me  that  he  is  desirous  of  incorporating  in  his 
work  a  complimentary  mention  of  that  regiment  which  he  under- 
stands you  have  been  somewhere  kind  enough  to  make  in  your 
written  reminiscences  of  the  Peninsular  Campaign  in  Virginia. 
In  case  you  recall  any  such  mention,  I  shall  esteem  it  a  great 
favor  if  you  will  direct  me  to  where  a  copy  of  it  can  be  found. 


12  Letters. 

Should  you,  on  the  other  hand,  not  recall  it,  I  am  requested  by 
Mr.  Davenport,  the  author,  to  say  that  a  brief  note  from  yourself, 
expressive  of  your  favorable  recollection  of  the  5th  New  York 
Zouaves  would  be  received  and  published  as  a  valuable  addition 
to  the  interest  of  his  book. 

Feeling  in  common  with  every  Union  soldier  a  gratitude  for 
the  service  so  honorably  rendered  us  by  your  sympathy  and  your 
sword  during  the  trying  days  of  the  Rebellion, 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  very  truly  yours, 

GEORGE  L.  CATLIN. 


The  Compte  de  Paris  replied  to  the  above  note  as  fol- 
lows : 

CHATEAU  D'Eu,  SEINE  INFERIEURE,       > 
June  13,  1878.  \ 

SIR  : — I  do  not  think  that  I  mentioned  in  any  special  manner 
the  5th  New  York  Zouaves  in  my  History  of  the  Civil  War  in 
America  ;  but  this  is  only  because,  having  so  many  events  to  re- 
count, I  had  not  space  enough  to  mention  singly  any  organiza- 
tion under  that  of  the  brigade.  I  remember  very  well  the  5th 
New  York  in  the  Peninsula  just  after  the  battle  of  Williamsburg, 
and  the  soldier-like  appearance  of  this  fine  body  of  men.  This 
appearance  struck  the  best  judges,  for  else  the  Zouaves  would  not 
have  been  brigaded  under  General  Sykes  with  the  regulars,  who 
were  justly  considered  as  a  model  for  the  other  troops. 

This  favorable  opinion  was  fully  justified  when  the  regiment 
had  to  go  through  the  ordeal  of  the  battles  on  the  Chickahominy, 
and  I  well  remember,  on  the  evening  of  the  bloody  clay  of  Games' 
Mill,  how  few,  but  how  proud,  were  the  remnant  of  the  5th  New 
York  after  holding  so  long  their  ground,  on  our  right,  against 
Jackson's  attacks. 

Believe  me,  sir,  yours  truly, 

L.  P.  D'ORLEANS, 

Compte  de  Paris* 
To  GEO.  L.  CATLIN,  ESQ.,  Paris. 


PREFACE. 


THE  period  of  American  History  commencing  with  the 
choice  of  electors  for  President  and  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  November,  1860, 
and  the  immediate  adoption  by  the  South  Carolina  Con- 
vention of  a  resolution  repealing  the  act  of  admission  to 
the  American  Union,  and  ending  with  the  assassination  of 
ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  President  of  the  United  States,  must 
ever  possess  a  remarkable  interest  to  the  student  of  history  ; 
and  as  the  events  of  that  period  must  necessarily  leave 
influences  and  conditions,  political  and  social,  of  an  extra- 
ordinary character,  they  must  have  a  greater  or  less  interest 
to  every  citizen.  The  sword  is  sheathed,  and  the  dilapidated 
fortresses  and  crumbling  earthworks  are  deserted  and  losing 
their  outlines,  and  peace  has  for  many  years  blessed  the 
nation  that  was  rocked  to  its  foundations  by  the  upheaval 
of  a  civil  war  unparalleled  in  history.  It  may  be  expedient 
to  "  let  the  dead  past  bury  its  dead."  But  the  past  is  not 
dead ;  it  lives  in  the  hearts,  the  thoughts,  the  affections,  the 
hopes,  the  jealousies,  the  taxations,  and  the  sufferings  of 
millions.  It  lives  in  the  memory  of  the  bereaved  at  the 
hearthstones  of  the  people — it  lives  in  the  remembrance  of 
the  active  men  of  the  time  who  still  animate,  influence,  or 
lead  public  policy — and  it  lives  in  the  purposes  of  whole 
communities  who,  moreover,  are  resolved  that  the  past  shall 
not  die.  To  the  loyal  heart  which  throbbed  with  devotion 
to  the  country  in  its  peril — to  the  memories  of  the  men  who 
laid  down  their  lives  in  its  defense — to  the  survivors  of  the 

(13) 


14  Preface. 

heroic  dead — to  the  young  men  of  the  present,  the  voices 
of  freedom    and   humanity  utter  the   injunction,  LET  THE 

PAST  LIVE  IN  THE  LOYAL  HEART  FOREVER  ! 

This  is  the  argument  of  the  present  volume.  The  Fifth 
New  York  Infantry,  known  as  the  Duryee  Zouaves,  heard 
the  drum-beat,  they  responded  to  the  appeal  to  arms,  and 
in  a  few  days  were  assigned  to  their  post  at  the  front,  and 
held  it  for  two  years,  during  the  whole  time  for  which  its 
members  were  enlisted.  It  has  been  deemed  only  an  act 
of  justice  to  place  its  record  at  the  side  of  other  similar 
contributions  to  the  history  of  the  war,  and  the  effort  has 
been  made  by  the  author  to  embody  the  events  in  which  it 
took  a  part,  in  so  complete  a  form  that  nothing  material  to 
its  chronicles  should  be  omitted.  Many  of  the  lesser  inci- 
dents of  camp  and  field  life  are  incorporated,  as  a  faithful 
picturing  of  the  varied  phases  of  a  soldier's  life  during  the 
war. 

It  was  hoped  by  the  author,  as  well  as  by  others,  that  the 
work  would  be  undertaken  by  some  one  or  more  of  the  able 
officers  of  the  regiment,  but  the  active  duties  of  civil  life 
have  prevented  them  from  making  even  the  attempt  to  col- 
lect the  materials.  Under  these  circumstances  the  author, 
albeit  with  great  distrust  of  his  ability  to  execute  the  work 
in  a  manner  worthy  of  his  subject,  felt  constrained  to  let  no 
further  time  be  lost  in  its  preparation.  He  has  availed 
himself  of  all  the  aids  he  could  command,  but  is  aware  that 
many  interesting  incidents  and  facts  are  in  the  possession  of 
officers  and  members  of  the  regiment  whom  he  has  not  been 
able  to  consult.  The  record,  however,  is  so  full  as  it  is  now 
presented,  that  no  essential  link  in  the  narrative  has  been 
omitted. 

It  is  proper  to  make  acknowledgments  to  Lieutenants  Sam- 
uel Tiebout,  R.  M.  Gedney,  and  William  H.  Uckele  ;  Cap- 
tains William  H.  Chambers,  James  McConnell,  and  Thoiiias 
R.  Martin  ;  Adjutant  A.  S.  Marvin,  Jr.  ;  Sergeants  C.  V.  G. 


Preface.  1 5 

Forbes,  Robert  Strachan,  E.  M.  Law,  and  George  A. 
Mitchell;  Corporals  James  H.  Franklin,  James  R.  Murray, 
and  Miron  Winslow ;  Benjamin  F.  Finley,  Joseph  Stilwell, 
Daniel  J.  Meagher,  James  W.  Webb,  Mrs.  H.  C.  Vail  and 
family,  Mrs.  James  H.  Lounsberry,  Alonzo  Ameli ;  and 
especially  to  Hons.  S.  S.  Cox,  Fernando  Wood,  and  Lucius 
N.  Robinson,  Mrs.  Gordon  Winslow,  and  others,  for  in- 
teresting information. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  work  the  writer  has  consulted 
and  is  indebted  to  L.  P.  D' Orleans,  Compte  de  Paris, 
"History  of  the  Civil  War  in  America,"  "Swinton's  Army 
of  the  Potomac,"  A.  H.  Guernsey,  LL.D.,  "Lossing*s  His- 
tory," Rev.  J.  S.  C.  Abbott,  "Pollard's  Southern  History 
of  the  War,"  Prince  de  Joinville,  Hon.  John  T.  Headley, 
Colonel  B.  Estvan  (Confederate  Army),  "  General  McClel- 
lan's  Reports  and  Campaigns,"  ''Pope's  Reports,"  "The 
Rebellion  Record,"  "  Reports  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Conduct  of  the  War,"  «  General  W.  F.  Barry's  Report," 
"Joel  Cook's  Siege  of  Richmond,"  the  files  of  the  Soldiers 
Friend,  conducted  by  William  Oland  Bourne,  and  the  War 
Correspondence  of  the  various  journals  of  the  time. 

The  work  is  committed  to  the  press  in  the  somewhat 
confident  hope  that  whatever  may  be  its  imperfections,  the 
officers  and  members  of  the  regiment,  as  well  as  the  public 
who  may  be  interested  in  its  narrative,  will  accept  it  with 
the  indulgence  which  they  may  kindly  accord  to  the  tribute 
offered  by  an  ex-private  to  the  honor  of  the  regiment  in 
which  he  served.  A.  D. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE    DRUM-BEAT. 

FORT  SUMTER — THE  ATTACK — THE  EVACUATION — TITE  PRESIDENT'S  PROCLAMA- 
TION— LETTER  BY  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR — Gov.  MORGAN'S  PROCLAMATION 
—CALL  OF  THE  ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 

FRIDAY,  the  twelfth  day  of  April,  1861,  must  forever  re- 
main memorable  in  the  history  of  the  American  Union. 
On  that  day  a  force  of  ten  thousand  men,  after  long  prepa- 
ration, and  with  well-built  and  well-appointed  batteries, 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Beauregard,  opened  their  fire 
upon  Fort  Surater,  in  the  harbor  of  Charleston,  and  con- 
tinued the  bombardment  of  that  fort,  defended  by  a  heroic 
band  of  seventy  men  under  Major  Robert  Anderson,  until, 
after  thirty-six  hours  of  almost  uninterrupted  attack,  the  com- 
mander deemed  it  no  longer  prudent  to  maintain  the  un- 
equal contest,  and  was  permitted  to  retire  his  force  without 
the  loss  of  a  single  man,  and  bearing  with  him  the  flag  of 
honor  and  renown. 

The  event  had  been  for  some  time  expected,  and  the 
delay  of  the  Government  at  Washington  to  take  the  initiative 
in  offensive  measures  was  regarded  by  many  as  evidence  of 
a  hesitating  and  vacillating  policy.  But  the  result  proved 
the  contrary.  The  responsibility  of  a  deliberate,  long-medi- 
tated, and  treasonable  attack  upon  the  property,  the  peace, 
and  the  existence  of  the  Republic,  by  the  act  of  the  twelfth 
of  April,  fell,  in  all  the  weight  of  its  momentous  consequences, 
upon  those  who  assumed  it.  The  eyes  of  the  whole  nation 
were  turned  to  this  point. 

Before  the  people  of  the  Union  there  stood  a  boasting 
and  excited  army,  exasperated  at  the  cool  and  defiant  hero- 
ism of  the  little  band  of  loyal  men  who  refused  to  lower 


^York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

their  flag  or  shrink  from  their  post  of  duty,  ambitious  of  the 
distinction  so  long  coveted  of  destroying  the  Union.  Only  a 
few  events  in  the  military  history  of  the  world  present  such  a 
contrast.  Every  hour  the  interest  of  the  nation  was  intensified. 

The  suspense  as  to  the  decision  of  Major  Anderson  be- 
came painfully  deep  as  the  hours  flew  by,  and  when  at  last 
the  enemy  became  convinced  that  they  had  no  other  alter- 
native, the  hand  of  EDMUND  RUFFIN,  of  Virginia,  who 
begged  the  privilege  and  the  honor,  fired  the  first  gun  in 
the  actual  inauguration  of  a  bloody  war.  That  gun  boomed 
with  accumulating  thunder  over  the  nation.  The  flash  of  its 
fire  blazed  through  the  electric  wires,  and  the  hearts  of 
millions  bounded  with  an  awakened  spirit  of  loyalty  as  each 
successive  bomb  and  shell  beat  against  the  slowly  crumbling 
walls  of  Sumter.  The  die  was  cast.  The  deep,  devoted 
loyalty  of  the  people  was  with  the  Government  and  the  flag, 
and  when  on  the  second  day  the  heroic  band  left  the  shat- 
tered ruin,  it  was  only  as  the  advance  guard  of  the  millions 
who  rallied  to  the  honor  and  the  glory  of  the  Republic. 

Two  days  afterward  the  President  of  the  United  States 
issued  the  following  proclamation  : 

BY  THE   PRESIDENT   OF  *THE   UNITED   STATES   OF  AMERICA. 

A    PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas,  the  laws  of  the  United  States  have  been  for  some 
time  past,  and  now  are,  opposed,  and  the  execution  thereof  ob- 
structed, in  the  States  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama, 
Florida,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  and  Texas,  by  combinations  too 
powerful  to  be  suppressed  by  the  ordinary  course  of  judicial  pro- 
ceeding, or  by  the  powers  vested  in  the  marshals  by  law  ; 

Now,  therefore,  I,  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United 
States,  in  virtue  of  the  power  in  me  vested  by  the  Constitution 
and  the  Laws,  have  thought  fit  to  call  forth,  and  hereby  do  call 
forth,  the  militia  of  the  several  States  of  the  Union,  to  the  aggre- 
gate number  of  seventy-five  thousand,  in  order  to  suppress  said 
combinations,  and  to  cause  the  Laws  to  be  duly  executed. 


The  Drum-Beat.  19 

The  details  for  this  object  will  be  immediately  communicated 
to  the  State  authorities  through  the  War  Department. 

I  appeal  to  all  loyal  citizens  to  favor,  facilitate,  and  aid  this 
effort  to  maintain  the  honor,  the  integrity,  and  the  existepce  of 
our  National  Union,  and  the  perpetuity  of  popular  government, 
and  to  redress  wrongs  already  long  enough  endured. 

I  deem  it  proper  to  say  that  the  first  service  assigned  to  the 
forces  hereby  called  forth  will  probably  b2  to  repossess  the  forts, 
places,  and  property  which  have  been  seized  from  the  Union  ;  and 
in  every  event  the  utmost  care  will  be  observed  consistently  with 
the  objects  aforesaid,  to  avoid  any  devastation,  any  destruction 
of  or  interference  with  property,  or  any  disturbance  of  peaceful 
citizens  in  any  part  of  the  country. 

And  I  hereby  command  the  persons  composing  the  combina- 
tions aforesaid  to  disperse,  and  retire  peaceably  to  their  respect- 
ive abodes,  within  twenty  days  from  this  date. 

Deeming  that  the  present  condition  of  public  affairs  presents 
an  extraordinary  occasion,  I  do  hereby,  in  virtue  of  the  power  in 
me  vested  by  the  Constitution,  convene  both  Houses  of  Congress. 
Senators  and  Representatives  are,  therefore,  summoned  to  as- 
semble at  their  respective  chambers,  at  twelve  o'clock,  noon,  on 
Thursday,  the  fourth  day  of  July  next,  then  and  there  to  consider 
and  determine  such  measures  as,  in  their  wisdom,  the  public 
safety  and  interest  may  seem  to  demand. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and  caused 
the  seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  fifteenth  day  of  April,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-one, 
and  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  the  eighty-fifth. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 
By  the  President : 

WILLIAM  H.  SEWARD,  Secretary  of  State. 


At  the  same  time  the  calls  were  made  upon  the  several 
States,  and  the  Governor  of  New  York,  Hon.  EDWIN  D. 
MORGAN,  received  the  following  communication  from  the 
War  Department : 


2o          Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  WASHINGTON,     ) 
April  15,  1 86 1.  C 

SIR  : — Under  the  Act  of  Congress  "  for  calling  forth  the  militia 
to  execute  the  laws  of  the  Union,  suppress  insurrections,  repel 
invasions,"  etc.,  approved  February  28,  1795,  I  have  the  honor  to 
request  your  Excellency  to  cause  to  be  immediately  detached 
from  the  militia  of  your  State  the  quota  designated  in  the  table 
below,  to  serve  as  infantry  or  riflemen  for  the  period  of  three 
months,  unless  sooner  discharged. 

Your  Excellency  will  please  communicate  to  me  the  time  at  or 
about  which  your  quota  will  be  expected  at  its  rendezvous,  as  it 
will  be  met  as  soon  as  practicable  by  an  officer  or  officers  to 
muster  it  into  the  service  and  pay  of  the  United  States.  At  the 
same  time  the  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  United  States  will  be  ad- 
ministered to  every  officer  and  man. 

The  mustering  officer  will  be  instructed  to  receive  no  man 
under  the  rank  of  commissioned  officer  who  is  in  years  apparently 
over  forty-five  or  under  eighteen,  or  who  is  not  in  physical 
strength  and  vigor. 

The  rendezvous  for  your  State  will  be  at  New  York,  Albany, 
and  Elmira. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

SIMON  CAMERON,  Secretary  of  War. 

To  his  Excellency,  EDWIN  D.  MORGAN, 

Governor  of  New  York. 

The  quota  for  New  York  State  was  seventeen  regiments, 
with  an  aggregate  total  of,  officers  and  men,  13,280. 

April  16,  1861,  the  Senate  and  Assembly  of  the  State 
being  then  in  session  passed  an  Act,  "To  authorize  the  em- 
bodying and  equipment  of  a  volunteer  militia,  and  to  pro- 
vide for  the  public  defense,"  and  the  following  proclamation, 
by  Governor  Morgan,  was  issued  : 


The  Drum-Beat.  21 

PROCLAMATION  BY  EDWIN  D.  MORGAN, 

Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

The  President  of  the  United  States,  by  proclamation,  and 
through  the  Secretary  of  War,  by  formal  requisition,  has  called 
upon  this  State  for  a  quota  of  seventeen  regiments  of  seven 
hundred  and  eighty  men  each,  to  be  immediately  detached  from 
the  militia  of  this  State,  to  serve  as  infantry  or  riflemen,  for  a 
period  of  three  months,  unless  sooner  discharged.  Now,  in  con- 
formity with  the  aforesaid  demand,  and  by  virtue  of  the  Act  of 
the  Legislature  of  this  State,  passed  on  the  i6th  day  of  April, 
instant,  entitled  "  An  Act  to  authorize  the  embodying  and  equip- 
ment of  a  volunteer  militia,  and  to  provide  for  the  public  defense," 
and  the  power  vested  in  me  by  the  Constitution  and  Laws,  I  do 
call  for  the  aforesaid  quota,  consisting  of  six  hundred  and  forty- 
nine  officers  and  twelve  thousand  six  hundred  and  thirty-one  men, 
forming  an  aggregate  of  thirteen  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty. 

The  organization  of  this  force  to  be  in  conformity  with  article 
eleven,  section  two,  of  the.  Constitution  of  this  State,  and  with 
the  rules  and  regulations  embraced  in  general  orders,  number 
thirteen,  promulgated  this  day.  The  rendezvous  for  this  State 
will  be  at  New  York,  Albany,  and  Elmira,  headquarters  at 
Albany. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  affixed 
the  privy  seal  of  the  State,  at  the  city  of  Albany,  this 
[L.S.]    eighteenth    day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-one. 

EDWIN  D.  MORGAN. 
By  the  Governor : 

LOCKWOOD  L.  DOTY,  Private  Secretary. 

The  Adjutant-General  of  the  State,  J.  MEREDITH  READ, 
Jr.,  issued  a  General  Order,  No.  13,  under  date  of  the  i8th 
day  of  April,  specifying  the  number  of  regiments  to  be  raised, 
directions  for  the  election  of  officers,  etc.,  and  declaring  that 
the  force  volunteering  under  the  provisions  of  the  Act,  would 
be  enrolled  for  the  term  of  two  years,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged. 


CHAPTER   II. 

FROM   NEW   YORK  TO   VIRGINIA. 

ORGANIZATION  —  FORT  SCHUYLER  —  FIRST  EXPERIENCES  —  OUR  QUARTERS  —  THE 
MEN  OF  THE  REGIMENT — SUNDAY  AT  THE  FORT — THE  FIRST  GUN  FROM  FORT 
SCHUYLER — A  POLICE  DESERTER — THE  RANKS  FILLED — TAKING  THE  OATH — 
FLAG  PRESENTATION— COLOR  SERGEANT— STRIKING  OUR  TENTS— RECEPTION 
IN  NEW  YORK — MOONLIGHT  DEPARTURE — ARRIVAL  AT  FORTRESS  MONROE — 
DESERTED  VILLAGE — OUR  FIRST  BIVOUAC — HAMPTON  BRIDGE  BURNED. 

THIS  regiment  was  organized  under  the  Proclamation  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  issued  April  15,  1861, 
calling  upon  the  several  Governors  of  the  loyal  States  for 
seventy-five  thousand  men. 

On  Thursday,  the  i8th  day  of  April,  1861,  J.  M.  Read, 
Jr.,  Adjutant-General  of  the  State  of  New  York,  issued  a 
general  order  for  the  organization .  of  seventeen  regiments 
of  volunteers,  the  quota  called  for  from  this  State  ;  and  on 
the  following  day,  the  ipth,  some  of  the  best  material  in  the 
city  and  its  suburbs  began  to  enlist  under  the  banner  of 
Colonel  ABRAM  DURYEE.  This  officer  was  well  known  to 
the  citizens  of  New  York,  and  had  a  wide  reputation  beyond 
its  limits,  having  been  in  command  of  the  Seventh  Regi- 
ment, N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  with  which  he  had  been  connected 
for  a  period  of  twenty-one  years,  and  which  was  universally 
acknowledged  to  be  the  best  drilled  and  most  efficient 
militia  organization  in  the  United  States.  "The  Seventh 
Regiment  is  to  the  National  Guard  what  West  Point  is  to 
the  Regular  Army."  On  Tuesday,  the  23d,  four  days  after 
the  recruiting  commenced,  so  great  was  the  zeal  and  ambi- 
tion to  serve  under  this  popular  leader,  that  enough  picked 
men  were  enrolled  to  make  up  eight  companies  of  about 
fifty  men  each  ;  and  accordingly,  on  the  evening  of  this  day, 
(22) 


From  New  York  to  Virginia.  23 

A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  and  K,  were  inspected  and  mustered 
into  the  State  service,  at  their  rooms  in  Canal  Street,  a  little 
east  of  Broadway.  Companies  I  and  PI  subsequently  joined 
at  Fort  Schuyler.  A  guard  was  stationed  at  the  doors  to 
prevent  the  men  from  leaving  at  night,  notwithstanding 
which  many  of  them  found  opportunity  to  make  their  parting 
visits  to  the  city,  from  which  they  were  so  soon  to  be  exiled. 
The  organization  was  called,  at  this  time,  "The  First  Regi- 
ment, Advance  Guard." 

The  next  day  each  man  was  given  a  blanket,  and  marched 
by  fours  front,  down  to  the  foot  of  Canal  Street,  North 
River ;  embarked  on  a  steam-tug,  and  after  a  pleasant  sail 
around  the  Battery  and  up  the  East  River,  arrived  at  Fort 
Schuyler  about  6  P.M.,  nothing  of  importance  having  oc- 
curred on  the  trip.  Immediately  on  arriving,  they  com- 
menced their  active  duties  by  carrying  lumber,  barrels  of 
provisions,  etc.,  to  their  respective  places  of  storage  at  the 
fort.  At  about  10  P.M.  supper  was  served,  and  the  regi- 
ment made  their  first  acquaintance  with  the  biscuit  which 
afterward  became  so  proverbially  known  as  "  hard-tack." 

Thursday,  April  25. — The  men,  in  good  spirits  and  humor, 
were  turned  out  at  5  A.M.  A  wash  at  the  pump  was  the 
first  preparation  for  a  drill,  which  lasted  until  breakfast,  at 
7.30.  We  were  then  at  liberty  until  10.30  A.M.,  when  we 
were  again  assembled  for  drill,  which  lasted  until  noon. 
Dinner  was  served  at  i  P.M.,  after  which  we  were  off  duty 
until  4.30,  when  we  were  again  drilled  until  6  P.M.,  the 
hour  for  supper,  after  which  we  were  again  at  liberty.  At 
10  P.M.  all  lights  were  extinguished,  and  silence  deep  and 
profound  fell  upon  us,  until  roused  by  the  reveille. 

Friday,  April  26. — Colonel  Durye'e,  in  full  dress,  inspected 
the  regiment  in  the  evening,  and  their  movements  pleased 
him  so  highly  that  he  complimented  them  on  their  rapid 
progress,  and,  accompanied  by  ladies,  inspected  the  quarters. 

The  barracks  were  very  comfortable,  about  forty -five  men 


24          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

being  assigned  to  each  of  the  compartments,  which  are  a 
part  of  the  fort.  The  structure  is  of  stone,  with  large, 
roomy  fire-places,  in  which  bright  wood-fires  were  kept 
burning  at  night.  Around  these  fires  the  men  congregated 
to  smoke  their  pipes  and  hold  their  councils.  Outside  of 
the  fort  were  tents,  which  were  a  part  of  those  used  by  the 
French  army  in  the  Crimea.  The  cook  of  General  Can- 
robert,  the  French  General,  was  catering  for  the  regiment. 
The  men  quartered  in  these  tents  christened  them  by  such 
names  as  the  "  Bower  of  Beauty,"  "  Schuyler  Cottage,"  and 
others  equally  suggestive  of  sentiment  or  war,  as  their  fancy 
dictated.  There  was  one  mess  at  least  who  lived  on  the  fat 
of  the  land  and  water.  They  had  built  a  small  brick  fur- 
nace, but  where  they  obtained  the  material  was  a  mystery. 
They  always  had  something  extra,  fried  clams,  fish,  beef- 
steak, etc.,  which  was  equally  a  mystery.  There  was  evidently 
a  latent  talent  for  foraging,  which  became  subsequently  more 
generally  developed  under  very  different  circumstances. 

The  location  of  the  fort  is  a  very  healthy  one.  The  con- 
stant breeze  from  the  Sound  gave  to  its  inmates  a  supply  of 
fresh  air,  and  there  was  no  impediment  to  the  use  of  the  salt 
water  in  which  to  bathe.  The  surgeons  had  nothing  to  do 
except  in  the  case  of  one  of  the  men  who  had  broken  an 
ankle  wrestling  with  a  comrade.  The  steamboat  from  the 
city  touched  every  afternoon  at  the  Government  wharf  and 
unloaded  the  stores,  which  were  carried  up  to  the  fort  by  de- 
tails of  men  from  the  different  companies.  In  the  afternoon 
the  men  mounted  the  ramparts  and  saluted  the  Sound  steam- 
ers, and  were  saluted  in  turn  by  them.  A  short  time  after 
the  regiment  arrived  at  the  fort  a  large  flag-staff  was  erected 
above  the  ramparts,  which  was  climbed  by  one  of  the  men 
for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  the  halyards.  The  "  Star 
Spangled  Banner  "  was  hoisted  for  the  first  time,  and  there 
being  no  ordnance  to  salute  the  colors,  three  hearty  cheers 
were  given  from  several  hundred  patriotic  throats. 


From  New   York  to   Virginia.  25 

There  were  men  among  us  who  could  respond  to  any  duty — 
representatives  from  all  the  trades,  with  a  sprinkling  of  law- 
yers, book-keepers,  sailors,  and  members  of  the  Volunteer 
Fire  Department,  many  of  the  latter  belonging  to  Company  G. 
There  were  also  veteran  soldiers  who  had  served  in  the  British 
army  of  the  Crimea,  and  elsewhere  ;  Italians  who  had  fought 
under  Garibaldi  ;  Frenchmen  who  had  served  in  the  armies 
of  la  belle  France ;  Teutons  from  the  Prussian  army;  and 
some  of  the  fighting  sons  of  Ireland,  ever  ready  for  the 
fray  ;  others  who  had  fought  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  ex- 
regulars  of  the  United  States.  Notwithstanding  which,  about 
eighty  per  cent,  of  the  regiment  were  natives  of  the  soil, 
among  whom  was  Havens,  a  nephew  of  *•  Benny  Havens, 
>h  ! "  of  West  Point  memory  ;  the  Van  Warts  from  Tarry- 
town,  descendants  of  "  the  Van  Wart "  of  Revolutionary 
memory,  and  many  others  of  grand  old  lineage.  Although 
this  was  a  volunteer  citizen  regiment,  there  were  many  vet- 
eran warriors  who  composed,  with  the  educated  officers, 
accomplished  in  military  affairs,  a  nucleus  around  which  to 
form  one  of  the  best  disciplined  and  most  reliable  bodies  of 
men  that  ever  left  the  city  of  New  York,  or  rallied  under  any 
other  name,  for  the  seat  of  war. 

On  Sunday  a  service  was  regularly  held  in  the  forenoon,  to 
which  all  were  invited,  but  the  attendance  was  not  compul- 
sory. In  addition  to  the  service  the  "  Articles  of  War  "  were 
read.  It  was  the  great  day  for  visitors  from  the  city,  who 
came  by  boat  and  private  conveyance,  bringing  the  news- 
papers to  their  friends,  and  sometimes  the  remembrances 
from  home  which  are  not  found  in  a  soldier's  bill  of  fare.  A 
party  made  a  visit  to  the  fort  from  a  private  yacht,  one  of 
their  friends  being  enlisted  in  the  regiment.  They  desired 
permission  from  the  Colonel  to  give  their  friend  a  sail,  but 
the  indulgence  was  not  to  be  thought  of.  They  were  so  wroth 
at  the  refusal,  that  upon  setting  sail  for  their  departure,  they 
showed  their  defiance  by  bombarding  the  fort  with  a  revolver. 


26  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

On  Tuesday,  April  3oth,  our  first  gun  was  fired,  and  it  was 
also  the  first  gun  that  ever  had  sent  its  thunders  over  the 
waters  from  the  ramparts  of  Fort  Schuyler.  It  was  a  brass 
piece  hoisted  into  its  place  by  the  men. 

On  the  following  day,  May  ist,  we  had  a  different  enter- 
tainment. Two  men,  one  of  them  a  Metropolitan  Police 
officer,  who  had  come  up  and  enlisted  in  his  uniform,  ran 
the  guard.  They  were  overtaken  by  Capt.  Dumont,  and 
put  under  arrest  in  the  guard -house,  and  at  evening  parade 
were  drummed  out.  Tuesday,  May  yth,  the  men  being  nearly 
all  supplied  with  their  uniforms,  made  a  fine  appearance  on 
drill  or  dress  parade,  especially  as  they  were  becoming  very 
proficient.  They  had  been  kept  hard  at  work  drilling  by 
companies,  and  exercising  in  the  simple  battalion  movements 
on  the  glacis  outside  the  fort.  The  rapid  increase  in  our 
numbers  made  strict  government  imperative,  and  the  disci- 
pline was  more  severe  and  exacting  after  Lieut. -Col.  Warren 
entered  upon  his  duties. 

There  had  been  some  severe  storms  of  wind  and  rain,  which 
those  on  guard  were  obliged  to  endure,  besides  some  work 
with  the  spade  draining  the  parade-ground  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Lieut. -Colonel,  which  began  to  impress  upon  the 
minds  of  the  thoughtless  that  the  life  of  a  soldier  was  not 
that  of  a  sinecurist.  In  addition  to  this  there  was  some 
grumbling  because  rifles  were  not  substituted  for  Springfield 
muskets,  as  was  promised  on  enlisting. 

On  Thursday,  the  gth  of  May,  tne  men  were  examined 
by  Dr.  ALEXANDER  B.  MOTT,  and  a  few  were  rejected  ;  the 
ranks  were  full,  and  he  said  that  a  finer  body  of  men  could 
not  be  found  in  Christendom. 

We  were  sworn  into  the  United  States  service  by  Capt.  T. 
Seymour,  ist  U.  S.  Artillery,  who  was  in  Fort  Sumter  at  the 
time  of  the  bombardment  by  the  rebels.  We  took  the  oath  to 
serve  for  two  years,  unless  sooner  discharged,  and  the  men  now 
realized  that  they  were  in  fact  soldiers  of  the  United  States. 


From  New   York  to   Virginia.  27 

At  evening  parade,  on  Saturday,  May  nth,  a  handsome 
stand  of  colors  were  presented  to  the  regiment,  the  gift  of 
GEORGE  KEMP,  Esq.,  of  the  firm  of  Lanman  &  Kemp. 
Adjutant  Hamblin  read  the  following  letter  of  presentation: 


EVERETT  HOUSE,  May  7,  1861. 
COLONEL  A.  DURYEE, 

Advance  Guard,  N.  Y.  Vols.,  Ft.  Schuyler  : 

SIR  : — Having  been  a  member  of  the  7th  M.  for  many  years, 
during  the  greater  part  of  which  time  the  corps  was  under  your 
command,  I  have  noticed  with  the  utmost  interest  your  gallant 
and  successful  efforts  to  raise  a  regiment  of  volunteers  in  aid  of 
our  beloved  country  in  her  present  unhappy  difficulties.  No  one 
who  is  acquainted  with  your  patriotism  can  be  surprised  at  this 
manifestation  of  your  active  and  most  honorable  zeal. 

ALL  who  know  your  military  ability  must  rejoice  that  you  are 
in  the  field  in  defense  of  the  National  Banner.  It  is,  indeed,  a 
consolation,  at  this  period  of  trouble,  to  feel  that  if  the  noble 
heritage,  bequeathed  to  us  by  our  fathers,  is  menaced  by  treachery 
and  rebellion,  Providence  has  blessed  the  land  with  true  hearts 
and  strong  arms  ready  for  the  emergency,  and  has  caused  to  rise 
up  among  us  noble  and  worthy  leaders,  among  whom  few  are  to 
be  named  before  our  old  commander  of  the  National  Guard, 
Colonel  Duryee. 

I  now  take  leave,  sir,  to  present  to  you,  for  the  Advance  Guard 
of  New  York  Volunteers,  a  flag  of  the  United  States,  emblem  of 
our  dear  country's  prosperity,  might,  and  happiness — not  less,  I 
sincerely  believe,  in  the  future  than  in  the  past.  This  color  will 
be  presented  to  you,  on  my  behalf,  by  Mr.  Thomas  W.  Cart- 
wright,  Jr.,  and  Mr.  John  Gillen,  both  young  men  of  irreproach- 
able character  and  steady  habits,  who,  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
listing in  your  regiment,  have  just  suspended  their  labor  of  several 
years  in  my  employment — to  return  to  it  (I  trust  with  honor  and 
in  health)  after  the  triumph  of  law,  order,  public  faith,  and  of  the 
Constitutional  Government  of  our  country  shall  have  enabled  you 
to  release  them  from  the  service  which  they  are  now  entering 
with  the  most  unbounded  confidence  in  their  gallant  leader. 


28  Fifth  'New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

May  God  preserve  you,  sir,  and  be  favorable  to  the  righteous 
cause  to  which,  like  a  true  soldier,  you  have  devoted  yourself. 

Pray  accept  this  flag  which  I  now  offer.  I  know  you  too  well 
to  doubt  that  the  men  who  are  so  fortunate  as  to  serve  under  you 
will  bring  it  back  again  to  this  city  with  honor  and  in  glory. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  KEMP.' 

The  colors  were  handed  to  Color-Sergeant  Charles  E. 
Mather,  of  the  Broadway  Squad  of  Police.  He  was  one  of 
the  tallest  men  in  the  regiment,  being  6  feet  4  inches,  and 
handsomely  proportioned. 

The  routine  of  our  camp  was  enlivened  a  few  days  after- 
ward by  the  arrival  of  our  band  of  musicians,  which  added 
a  new  interest  to  our  dress  parades.  A  Maine  regiment, 
brought  by  a  steamer,  disembarked  on  Willett's  Point, 
opposite  Fort  Schuyler,  where  they  went  into  camp.  Some 
of  the  men  paid  the  Fifth  a  visit. 

Rumors  were  current  in  regard  to  an  early  departure  of  the 
regiment,  and  the  men  were  anxious  to  get  into  active  service. 
Every  day  added  to  their  impatience,  as  they  were  willing 
to  go  anywhere  to  meet  the  enemy. 

On  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  the  22d,  the  regiment  was 
fully  armed  and  equipped,  the  tents  had  been  struck,  and  we 
were  under  marching  orders.  Knapsacks  were  packed,  and 
officers  and  men  ready  to  move  when  called. 

One  of  the  daily  journals  of  New  York  gave  the  following 
narrative  of  our  movements  to  its  readers  : 

"  The  orders  to  leave  the  fort  reached  the  regiment  on 
Wednesday  last,  and  the  prospect  of  active  employment  being  so 
near  at  hand,  delighted  the  men  greatly. 

"  The  greatest  activity  at  once  became  visible  throughout  the 
entire  encampment,  the  tents  were  struck  and  everything  put  in 


From  New   York  to  Virginia.  29 

order  for  immediate  evacuation,  when,  to  the  chagrin  and  dis- 
appointment of  all  hands,  orders  arrived  countermanding  those 
previously  given,  and  the  regiment  was  doomed  to  a  new  and, 
what  at  first  appeared,  a  more  acute  disappointment.  Fortu- 
nately the  obstacle  (whatever  it  might  have  been)  to  their  im- 
mediate movement  was  of  but  brief  duration,  as  the  orders  post- 
poned their  march  for  only  one  day.  Short  as  it  was,  however, 
there  was  no  disguising  the  fact  that  both  officers  and  men  were 
considerably  put  out  of  temper  by  what  seemed  to  be  a  most  ex- 
traordinary course  of  proceeding.  The  tents  having  been  struck, 
and  the  regiment  placed  in  readiness  to  march,  all  the  materials 
of  comfort  and  convenience  were  out  of  immediate  reach,  so  that 
when  sleeping-time  came  on  Wednesday  evening  the  men  were 
left  to  select  the  softest  grass  on  which  to  make  their  beds.  Still 
there  was  no  complaint  of  any  kind  ;  everything  was  taken  as  it 
turned  jup,  and  both  officers  and  men  endeavored  to  accommo- 
date themselves  to  circumstances  with  the  best  grace.  In  this 
they  altogether  succeeded. 

"The  bivouac  of  Wednesday  night  was  one  of  the  most 
picturesque  and  delightful  that  can  possibly  be  imagined.  Out 
in  that  lone  fort,  on  the  soft,  green  sward,  over  eight  hundred 
men  lay  down  to  repose.  There  was  no  covering  at  all  above 
them  save  the  cerulean  sky,  but  there,  wrapped  in  their  blankets, 
they  all  lay  down,  and  perhaps  slept  sweeter  and  sounder  for 
their  devotion  to  their  country  and  to  their  duty,  than  many 
who  are  enabled  to  stretch  themselves  on  beds  of  down.  Some 
of  the  officers'  tents  had  not  yet  been  struck,  and  these  were 
certainly  centers  of  attraction  during  the  night.  Camp  fires  were 
lighted  at  short  distances  from  each  other  all  along  the  encamp- 
ment, and  the  watchful  sentinel  having  been  placed  on  his  nightly 
guard,  the  whole  garrison  went  safely  and  quietly  to  rest.  The 
scene  at  the  midnight  hour,  when  so  many  stalwart  men  were 
sleeping  as  calmly  as  children,  was  far  different  from  that  of  the 
same  afternoon  when  the  roll  was  called  for  the  last  drill  within 
the  fortification  prior  to  the  departure  of  the  regiment.  Over  a 
thousand  citizens  from  New  York,  Brooklyn,  and  adjacent  places 
were  present  to  witness  what  was  really  a  sight  worth  seeing. 
The  whole  regiment  was  uniformed  in  the  full  Zouave  costume, 


3O  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

and  armed  and  accoutred  in  splendid  style,  they  presented  a  gal- 
lant and  unbroken  front.  The  drill  of  the  past  month  was 
certainly  not  lost  upon  the  men,  for  their  evolutions  were -as 
regular  and  as  perfect  as  if  they  had  always  made  the  science  of 
arms  their  profession.  The  spectators  were  delighted  with  them, 
and  expressed  their  pleasure  by  frequently  applauding. 

"  The  final  preparations  for  departure  were  made  early  in  the 
morning.  The  few  tents  which  had  remained  standing  were 
struck,  and  the  baggage  of  the  regiment  packed  for  transmission 
to  the  city.  The  steamboats  chartered  to  remove  the  troops 
were  at  the  dock  at  an  early  hour  of  the  morning,  and  everybody 
was  prepared  to  start." 

Thursday,  May  23. — We  left  Fort  Schuyler  at  one  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  and  embarked  on  three  tugs — the  Satellite, 
Only  Son,  and  C.  P.  Smith — the  baggage  and  tents  occupy- 
ing a  fourth. 

We  were  indeed  on  our  way  at  last.  It  was  an  exciting 
and  exhilarating  scene.  As  the  tugs  moved  off,  the  fort  saluted 
each  respectively  with  one  gun,  and  the  men  on  board  gave 
three  hearty  cheers  for  Fort  Schuyler,  in  response  to  the  salute. 
The  officers  and  men  were  all  in  the  highest  spirits,  and  as 
we  passed  the  revenue  cutter  Vixen,  near  Throg's  Neck,  each 
of  the  steamers  were  again  saluted. 

At  Riker's  Island,  where  the  Hawkins  Zouaves  were  en- 
camped, as  the  steamboats  approached,  the  men  were  drawn 
up  in  line  on  the  brow  of  a  hill  overlooking  the  river,  in  honor 
of  the  Zouaves.  Three  guns  were  then  fired  from  the  fort, 
and  the  men  gave  three  cheers  for  Hawkins'  Zouaves.  The 
enthusiasm  was  very  great,  and  cheer  after  cheer  rent  the  air. 

Along  the  piers  as  we  approached  the  city,  there  were 
crowds  of  people  who  saluted  us  with  cheers  and  waving  of 
handkerchiefs. 

The  boats  landed  at  the  foot  of  East  Fifteenth  Street 
about  four  P.M.,  and  upon  disembarking,  the  regiment  pro- 
ceeded to  Fourteenth  Street,  and  after  forming  in  order, 


From  New   York  to  Virginia.  31 

marched  through  that  street  to  Broadway.  The  sidewalks 
and  windows  of  the  houses  were  thronged  with  people,  and 
from  every  building  floated  the  national  flag. 

It  was  a  splendid  sight,  and  one  that  will  not  soon  be  for- 
gotten by  those  who  witnessed  it.  The  regiment,  eight 
hundred  and  forty-eight  strong,  fully  drilled  and  disciplined, 
marched  with  their  long,  steady  stride  in  solid  ranks,  and 
eyes  to  the  front,  amid  the  cheers  and  plaudits  of  thousands 
of  spectators. 

It  was  a  proud  day  for  the  Fifth.  Their  faces  were  bronzed 
by  exposure,  and  every  man  of  them  felt  and  looked  like  a 
soldier ;  but  on  the  other  hand,  how  many  a  silent  tear  was 
dropped,  or  a  murmured  prayer  offered  by  a  mother,  sister, 
or  wife  for  the  safe  return  of  the  well-beloved  one  who  was 
so  proudly  marching  to  do  battle  to  preserve  a  nation,  and 
die,  if  need  be,  under  the  flag  that  was  waving  above  him 
with  its  stars  and  stripes,  the  emblem  of  the  States,  one  and 
inseparable.  The  regiment  marched  to  City  Hall  Park, 
which  it  reached  about  half-past  five  o'clock,  where  they 
were  reviewed  by  Mayor  Wood,  Judge  Edmonds,  Judge 
Davies,  Aldermen  Brady  and  Henry,  and  others  of  the 
Common  Council.  Superintendent  Kennedy  and  Inspect- 
or Carpenter,  with  a  squad  of  twenty-six  of  the  Eleventh 
Precinct  Police,  were  in  attendance.  A  large  number  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen  occupied  the  balcony  of  the  Hall, 
among  whom  were  General  Nye,  Dr.  A.  B.  Mott,  Controller 
Haws,  and  a  number  of  the  officers  of  Colonel  Blenker's 
regiment.  After  going  through  a  parade  drill,  the  Zouaves 
marched  up  Broadway  through  White  and  North  Moore 
Streets  to  the  pier,  receiving  an  ovation  at  every  step.  Fi- 
nally, a  little  before  sundown,  they  were  all  embarked  on  the 
good  steamship  Alabama,  Captain  Schenck,  and  bound  for 
Fortress  Monroe.  Kind  friends  and  well-wishers  had  not 
forsaken  them  yet,  and  as  long  as  the  steamer  could  be 
reached,  they  were  showered  with  fruits.  In  the  meantime 


32  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry.      * 

the  rigging  and  sides  of  the  vessel  were  swarming  with 
Zouaves,  some  of  them  climbing  even  to  the  trucks,  and 
waving  their  fez  caps  in  the  air.  As  the  steamer  drew  off 
into  the  stream,  the  air  was  rent  with  cheers. 

The  vessel  made  a  short  stop  in  the  bay,  and  then  de- 
parted on  her  seaward  path.  It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight 
night,  the  reflection  of  the  moon's  rays  on  the  water  making  it 
look  like  molten  silver.  The  ship  was  too  much  crowded 
for  comfort,  but  as  it  was  not  a  pleasure  excursion,  the  men 
did  not  murmur,  but  made  themselves  as  comfortable  as 
their  new  circumstances  would  permit.  Some,  unused  to 
the  sea,  soon  became  unpleasantly  conscious  of  the  change  ; 
the  ship  rolled  when  it  reached  the  swell  of  the  Atlantic  ;  but 
the  majority  of  the  men  enjoyed  the  novelty  of  the  situation. 
About  seventy-five  miles  out,  the  steamer  was  saluted  with 
a  prize  in  tow,  which  was  shortly  afterward  followed  by  an- 
other. On  Friday,  the  24th,  as  we  were  steaming  along,  the 
cry  suddenly  resounded  through  the  ship,  "  Man  overboard  !  " 
The  ship  was  quickly  hove  to,  and  the  officers  and  guard 
kept  the  men  in  their  places.  In  a  few  moments  some  of 
the  sailors  were  seen  carrying  one  of  their  shipmates  below, 
wet  and  dripping.  The  result  showed  that  he  was  severely 
injured. 

On  Saturday,  the  25th,  we  were  in  sight  of  Fortress  Mon- 
roe and  the  men-of-war  in  the  offing,  the  crews  of  which 
manned  the  rigging,  and  loudly  cheered  us — a  compliment 
which  we  returned  with  loyal  vigor.  We  were  landed  at  the 
Government  wharf  by  the  steam-tug  Yankee,  near  the 
Hygeia  Hotel,  and  were  surrounded  by  swarms  of  soldiers, 
who  asked  all  manner  of  questions,  and  said  that  they  had 
but  just  cleared  out  the  little  village,  the  Newport  of  Virginia. 

It  was  not  many  minutes  before  every  cottage  was  looked 
through,  and  all  sorts  of  odd  traps  were  found,  but  of  little 
value.  One  of  the  boys  appeared  dressed  in  a  complete 
militia  uniform  of  the  ancient  style.  This  amusement  did 


From  New   York  to   Virginia.  33 

not  last  long,  a  vigilant  guard  under  orders  having  brought 
the  men  to  a  halt.  It  was  saddening  to  see  a  deserted 
village  ;  one  old  negro  and  a  few  stray  dogs  and  cats  were 
its  only  remaining  inhabitants. 

The  regiment  was  soon  formed  and  marched  about  two 
miles,  and  encamped,  or  rather  bivouacked,  the  main  body 
being  located  in  a  wheat-field,  the  outward  post. 

The  Colonel  took  possession  of  the  Segar  mansion,  which 
was  delightfully  situated  near  the  waters  of  the  bay,  and 
Company  G,  Captain  Denike,  was  encamped  in  a  beautiful 
orchard  near  by,  as  his  guard  of  honor. 

This  was  a  splendid  location  for  a  camp,  with  good  water 
and  plenty  of  oysters,  fish,  etc.,  close  at  hand.  A  short  dis- 
tance from  this  place  the  largest  female  seminary  in  Virginia 
was  located,  but  now,  of  course,  deserted,  except  by  the 
family  in  charge,  with  a  few  slaves.  The  town  of  Hampton 
is  about  one  and  a  half  miles  distant,  on  the  other  side  of 
Hampton  Creek.  The  bridge  connecting  with  the  town 
was  burned  the  day  of  the  landing  of  the  Zouaves,  by  the 
Confederate,  Major  Carey,  and  some  of  our  men,  skirmish- 
ing on  their  own  account,  crept  near  enough  to  see  the  rebels 
in  the  act.  The  Zouaves  were  complimented  by  the  Con- 
federates, at  this  time,  with  the  name  of  "  Red  Devils,"  which 
they  retained  during  the  war. 


CHAPTER   III. 

OUR  FIRST  CAMP   IN   VIRGINIA. 

KILPATRICK'S  FIRST  RAID— AN  ALARM  AT  MIDNIGHT— A  PHOTOGRAPH  OF  CAMP 
LIFE — BATTALION  DRILL— KILPATRICK'S  FIRST  ADVENTURE — CAPTAIN  HIRAM 
DURYEA — LIEUTENANT  JACOB  DURYEE — SEVERAL  EXPEDITIONS— SUNDAY  SERV- 
ICE— OUR  CHAPLAIN — LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  WARREN — ADJUTANT  HAMBLIN — 
THE  LOCATION— A  STORM— OFF  DUTY— Fox  HILL  EXPEDITION— LIEUTENANT- 
COLONEL  WARREN'S  REPORT — CORRESPONDENCE  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  Times. 

COLONEL  SEGAR,  on  whose  farm  the  camp  was  situated, 
was  a  Union  man,  and  owner  of  all  the  surrounding  estate, 
as  well  as  of  the  Hygeia  Hotel,  and  had  for  many  years 
represented  his  district  in  the  Virginia  Legislature.  The 
family  had  removed,  and  some  of  the  negroes  were  leaving 
with  the  last  load  of  furniture.  The  men  made  themselves 
at  home  in  the  garden,  and  the  demands  of  so  large  a  num- 
ber of  guests  in  a  few  hours  left  the  homestead  stripped  of 
everything  they  could  appropriate  for  their  supplies. 

Just  at  this  time  there  was  a  great  commotion  on  the 
road.  Down  the  highway  there  came  rushing  along,  at  a 
two-forty  pace,  a  little  mule,  harnessed  to  a  small  cart,  with 
three  or  four  "  Red  Devils  "  in  it,  and  at  a  little  distance  in 
the  rear  another  turnout  of  a  like  pattern,  with  Captains 
Kilpatrick  and  Hull  trying  to  overtake  them  ;  the  former 
calling  emphatically,  "  Halt !  halt ! "  The  chagrin  of  the 
future  great  cavalry  General  was  great,  at  being  beaten  in  a 
race,  especially  by  privates,  who  had  no  business  outside  of 
their  quarters.  But  the  boys  had  no  idea  of  being  captured 
without  being  run  down,  and  they  only  went  the  faster,  and 
were  soon  out  of  sight,  leaving  pursuit  and  the  guard-house 
behind. 

(34) 


Our  First  Camp  in   Virginia.  35 

The  regiment  bivouacked  for  the  night,  having  as  yef  no 
tents.  Guards  were  established  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
camp,  and  soon  all  were  slumbering,  except  those  on  post. 

About  midnight  two  shots  were  heard,  and  instantly  there 
was  a  tremendous  sensation.  The  drums  sounded  the  long 
roll ;  it  was  taken  up  in  the  other  camps,  and  excited  men 
were  rushing  to  arms.  Some  who  were  not  yet  supplied 
with  muskets  formed  in  line  with  the  rest,  with  dirk-knives 
and  revolvers  in  hand,  ready  to  fight  for  their  lives.  But  it 
was  soon  learned  that  one  of  the  sentries  had  mistaken  a 
sentry  of  another  regiment  for  a  Confederate,  and  blazed 
away,  and  was  fired  at  in  turn  by  him.  Happily  no  blood 
was  shed,  and  we  passed  the  night  without  being  scalped, 
after  having  one  other  false  alarm.  These  incidents  served 
at  least  the  purpose  of  good  exercise  in  an  important  part 
of  a  soldier's  life. 

The  events  occurring  in  the  regiment  were  described  by  a 
correspondent  of  the  New  York  Times  (Friday,  May  31),  in 
the  following  letter : 

"  CAMP  BUTLER,  NEAR  HAMPTON,  VA.,  \ 
Tuesday,  May  28,  1861.  \ 

"  The  New  York  Fifth,  Colonel  Duryee,  and  Second,  Colonel 
Carr's,  regiment,  are  still  encamped  between  Fortress  Monroe 
and  the  old  village  of  Hampton,  one  of  the  first  settled  in  Vir- 
ginia. The  advent  of  the  Zouaves  seems  to  have  produced  a 
panic  throughout  the  surrounding  country.  The  inhabitants 
have  all  fled,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  who  adhere  to  the 
cause  of  the  Union.  '  Red  Devils  '  is  the  complimentary  appel 
lation  which  the  Secessionists  have  bestowed  upon  the  follow- 
ers of  Colonel  Duryee. 

"  On  Sunday  night,  Captain  Waugh,  with  his  entire  company, 
occupied  the  Female  Seminary,  a  large  building,  on  an  elevated 
site  near  the  camp,  which  had  given  shelter  to  the  enemy.  The 
American  flag  now  waves  over  it,  and  can  be  seen  for  miles 
around.  The  same  day  Captain  Kilpatrick  made  a  reconnois- 


36  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

sance,  bringing  back  valuable  information  concerning1  the  forces 
of  the  foe.  Major-General  Butler,  on  Monday,  reviewed  the 
Zouaves,  and  expressed  to  Colonel  Duryee  and  his  officers  his 
delight  with  the  excellent  discipline  of  the  corps,  and  his  appre- 
ciation of  the  abilities  of  the  commandant." 

A  Confederate  of  the  enemy  had  been  using  the  cupola 
on  the  top  of  the  Seminary,  as  a  lookout,  and  from  his  lofty 
position,  from  which  the  country  could  be  seen  for  miles 
around,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  signaling  information  of 
anything  occurring  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  fortress. 
Colonel  Durye'e  therefore  took  possession  of  the  building, 
and,  placing  the  band  on  the  roof,  they  played  the  "Star 
Spangled  Banner,"  while  he  raised  the  stars  and  stripes  to 
the  flag-staff,  amid  the  cheers  of  his  men. 

General  Butler  issued  the  following  proclamation,  appoint- 
ing Colonel  Duryee  to  the  command  of  all  the  forces  at  Old 
Point  Comfort : 

FORTRESS  MONROE,  VA.,  ) 
May  27,  1 86 1.  j 

SPECIAL  ORDERS,  No.  5. 

Colonel  A.  Duryee,  Fifth  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers, 
will  at  once  assume  command  of  the  camp  of  the  two  New  York 
regiments,  Segar's  farm,  and  issue  such  orders  and  make  such 
regulations,  consistent  with  the  Articles  of  War,  as  will  insure 
good  order  and  a  thorough  system  of  instruction  and  discipline  ; 
he  will  see  that  a  proper  guard  is  posted  each  night  over  the 
well,  and  on  and  near  the  bridge  leading  toward  the  fort,  in  such 
manner  that  there  can  be  no  danger  of  harm  to  them.  Any 
depredations  committed  on  the  property  of  citizens,  or  any  un- 
necessary inconvenience  imposed  upon  them  by  any  member  of 
the  command,  must  be  promptly  noticed,  and  reported  in  writing 
to  the  Major-General  commanding  the  Department. 
By  command  of 

Major-General  BUTLER. 
GRIER  TALMADGE, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General, 


Our  First  Camp  in   Virginia.  37 

PROCLAMATION  BY  COLONEL  DURYEE. 
To  the  Inhabitants  of  Hampton  and  vicinity  : 

Having  been  placed,  by  order  of  Major-General  BUTLER,  in 
command  of  the  troops  in  this  vicinity,  outside  of  the  walls  of 
Fortress  Monroe,  I  hereby  notify  all,  that  their  rights  of  person 
and  property  will  be  entirely  respected  ;  that  their  co-operation 
in  maintaining  law  and  order  is  expected,  both  by  reporting  every 
violation  of  them  when  committed  by  any  one  attached  to  the 
camp,  and  by  preserving  local  order  and  restraining  such  of  their 
fellow-citizens  as  may  entertain  perverted  intentions. 

You  can  rely  that  all  offenses  against  you  will  be  severely 
punished  ;  that  no  effort  will  be  spared  to  detect  the  guilty  ;  and 
that  you,  as  a  community,  will  also  be  held  responsible  for  every 
act  committed  by  any  one  of  your  number  where  the  particular 
offender  is  not  surrendered.  Be  assured  that  we  are  here  in  no 
war  against  you,  your  liberty,  your  property,  or  even  your  local 
customs  ;  but  to  keep  on  high  that  flag  of  which  your  own  great 
son  was  the  bearer ;  to  sustain  those  institutions  and  those  laws 
made  by  our  ancestors  and  defended  by  their  common  blood. 

Remember  all  these  things,  and  if  there  be  those  among  you 
who,  maddened  by  party  feeling,  misled  by  willful  falsehoods  or 
a  mistaken  sense  of  duty,  have  thought  to  obliterate  the  national 
existence,  let  them  at  least  pause  till  they  learn  the  true  value  of 
what  they  have  imperilled,  and  the  nature  of  that  into  which  they 
are  asked  to  plunge.  We  have  all  confidence  that  in  Virginians 
in  arms  against  us  we  have  honorable  foes,  whom  we  hope  yet  to 
make  our  friends. 

COLONEL  A.  DURYEE, 

Acting  Brigadier-General. 

The  Times  correspondent,  a  few  days  later,  photographed 
the  Fifth  as  follows  : 


CAMP  BUTLER,  NEAR  HAMPTON,  VA., 

Sunday,  fane  2,  1861 


j 


The  friends  of  Colonel  Duryee's  Zouaves,  who  greeted  with  so 
much  enthusiasm  their  first  public  parade  in  New  York,  would 
have  been  gratified  beyond  measure  had  they  been  here  yesterday 


38  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

to  witness  the  battalion-drill  in  the  morning,  conducted  by  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Warren,  and  the  brigade  evolutions,  under  the 
direction  of  Acting  Brigadier-General  Duryee,  in  the  afternoon. 
A  command  composed  as  this  is,  constantly  under  military  dis- 
cipline, in  camp,,  makes  wonderful  progress  in  the  course  of  a 
single  week.  They  are  something  more  than  holiday  soldiers, 
who  know  how  to  make  a  brilliant  dress  parade,  on  State  occa- 
sions, over  Russ  pavement.  If  you  could  see  them  maneuvering 
on  rough,  plowed  ground,  covered  with  dust,  forming  in  line  of 
battle,  springing  into  column,  compressed  into  close  column 
by  division,  deploying  into  hollow  square,  charging  bayonet  as 
one  man,  firing  by  file,  by  company,  and  by  wing — performing 
with  precision  all  the  evolutions  which  make  war  wonderful  and 
soldiering  a^science — you  would  imagine  that  they  were  veterans 
of  very  long  standing,  rather  than  hewers  of  wood,  and  drawers 
of  drafts,  and  drivers  of  quills,  who  have  left  their  trades,  their 
banking-houses,  or  their  professions,  to  fight  for  the  old  flag  that 
traitors  have  dared  to  dishonor. 

We  have,  as  yet,  had  no  collision  with  the  enemy,  but  it  has  not 
been  because  no  opportunity  has  been  afforded  the  secessionists 
for.  coming  in  daily  contact  with  the  things  they  loathe. 

On  Tuesday,  May  28th,  Captain  Judson  Kilpatrick,  an  officer 
educated  at  West  Point,  in  command  of  Company  H,  who  knows 
no  fear — except  the  fear  that  he  shall  not  speedily  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  paying  his  compliments  to  the  foe — left  camp  with  forty 
men,  and  proceeded  to  the  bridge  at  Hampton,  which  had  been 
burned  by  the  enemy,  designing  to  repair  it.  He  found  it  so 
much  injured  that  with  the  implements  at  hand  he  could  not  re- 
construct it.  He  built  two  docks,  took  possession  of  about  thirty 
boats,  opened  a  safe  and  easy  communication  with  the  village, 
crossed,  took  possession,  and  after  posting  a  strong  guard  at  the 
bridge-head,  scoured  the  country  for  miles.  After  leaving  the 
village,  he  received  information  that  about  one  thousand  seces- 
sionists were  at  hand.  Nothing  daunted,  the  intrepid  Captain, 
throwing  out  scouts  in  advance,  rapidly  passed  up  the  road 
toward  Yorktown,  and  arrived  at  Newmarket  Bridge  just  in  time 
to  see  a  small  force  of  the  enemy  pass  over,  taking  up  the  planks 
as  they  left.  On  his  return  he  dispersed  a  body  of  twenty-five 


Our  First  Camp  in   Virginia.  39 

men,  who  had  fired  on  Mr.  Isaac  Case,  agent  of  Messrs.  Wheeler 
&  Wilson,  of  sewing-machine  celebrity,  who  accompanied  the 
regiment  to  take  care  of  a  charger,  worth  $600,  presented  to 
Major  J.  Mansfield  Davies  by  that  firm.  He  captured  one  horse, 
three  mules,  four  drums,  harness,  several  hundred  bushels  of 
grain,  arms  and  military  stores.  Leaving  these  in  charge  of  a 
small  guard,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Carlisle  Boyd* — one  of 
those  quiet,  gentlemanly  men,  who  at  the  post  of  danger  generally 
give  a  better  account  of  themselves  than  the  blusterers — he  re- 
turned to  Hampton,  where  he  caused  to  be  published  to  the  as- 
sembled citizens  the  proclamation  of  General  Dury6e.  Again 
crossing  the  stream,  he  raised  the  Stars  and  Stripes  on  the  build- 
ing but  recently  occupied  by  Colonel  Mallory,  of  the  Confederate 
army.  His  men  stood  around  him  while  the  ceremony  was  per- 
forming and  greeted  the  flag  with  rousing  cheers.  The  Captain 
made  them  a  stirring  little  speech,  to  which  they  responded 
heartily.  And  then,  after  a  day  well  spent,  marched  back  to 
camp,  bearing  many  trophies  with  him. 

The  next  day,  May  29th,  Capt.  Hiram  Duryea,  of  E  Company, 
marched  far  back  into  the  country,  meeting  armed  men  who  fled 
like  deer  at  his  approach.  His  men  were  "  sp'ilin'  for  a  fight," 
and  bitterly  denounced  "  the  chivalry  "  for  the  retiring  manners 
for  which  they  are  becoming  noted  in  these  parts.  He  brought 
back  large  quantities  of  provisions  and  tools. 

The  same  day  Lieut.  Jacob  Duryee,  of  Company  G,  son  of  the 
Colonel,  raised  the  flag  of  our  Union  over  ex-President  Tyler's 
summer  residence,  "  Marguerite  Villa,"  at  Hampton.  It  was  an 
offset  to  the  performance  of  Mr.  Tyler's  daughter,  who  a  short 
time  since,  it  will  be  remembered,  hoisted  a  secession  flag  at  a 
village  somewhere  at  the  South.  On  Thursday,  May  3Oth,  Capt. 
Robert  S.  Dumont,  of  Company  B,  went  on  a  scouting  expedition, 
in  the  course  of  which  he  met  many  armed  men  in  uniform,  who 
uniformly  carried  themselves  back  into  the  interior  of  old  Vir- 
ginia at  a  quadruple  quickstep.  Lieut.  Dumont,  with  a  few  men, 
drove  a  superior  force  into  the  woods,  and  returned  with  a  very 
large  feather  in  his  cap.  Capt.  Dumont  brought  back  informa- 
tion of  so  much  importance  concerning  the  position  of  the  op- 


Captain  U.  S.  A.  (1878). 


4O  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

posing  forces,  that  it  was  communicated  to  Gen.  Butler  in  a  writ- 
ten report.  Capt.  Denike,  of  Company  G,  and  Capt.  Swartwout, 
of  Company  F,  have  made  similar  armed  excursions  with  equally 
important  results.  Col.  Duryee  himself,  with  a  small  force,  a 
few  days  ago  returned  into  camp  from  Hampton,  bearing  with 
him  the  first  secession  flag  that  has  been  captured,*  and  a  quan- 
tity of  arms,  odd  portions  of  uniforms,  etc.,  which  had  belonged 
to  the  secessionists.  This  morning  the  men  attended  divine  serv- 
ice on  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  Colonel's  quarters.  Rev.  Dr. 
Winslow,  the  Chaplain,  conducted  the  exercises  and  preached  a 
very  eloquent  sermon.  Dr.  Winslow  is  a  parson  of  the  old  Revo- 
lutionary school,  and,  on  the  Colonel's  staff,  will  be  as  serviceable 
in  the  field  as  he  is  in  the  pulpit.  Yesterday,  under  his  direction, 
a  bridge  was  built  over  a  little  stream  which  divides  one  of  the 
outposts  from  the  camp. 

Thus  the  week  has  passed,  not  without  its  excitements. 
Rumors  were  constantly  brought  into  camp  that  the  enemy  was 
advancing  in  force,  and  the  men  have  slept  on  their  arms  nightly. 
They  evince  an  excellent  military  spirit. 

The  appointment  of  Col.  Duryee  t6  the  post  of  Acting  Briga- 
dier-General leaves  Lieut.-Col.  Warren  in  command  of  the  Zou- 
aves. Col.  Warren  has  been  many  years  in  the  regular  service, 
is  an  accomplished  officer,  and  an  excellent  disciplinarian.  A 
few  nights  ago,  when  scouts  rushed  in  out  of  breath,  reporting 
that  the  enemy  was  advancing  in  a  large  body  to  cut  off  the 
picket  guard  at  Hampton  Bridge,  Col.  Warren,  without  alarming 
the  camp,  proceeded  with  only  three  men  to  take  command  of  the 
guard,  and  remained  all  night  with  it.  It  was  not  rashness  on 
his  part,  by  any  means,  for  he  knew  well  how  to  post  his  little 
force  so  that  the  enemy  could  not  get  the  best  of  him. 

The  Adjutant  of  the  regiment,  Joseph  E.  Hamblin,  has  been 
offered  the  position  of  Adjutant-General,  but  has  declined  it.  He 
fully  deserved  the  compliment,  and  the  whole  regiment  was 


*This  flag,  which  still  had  a  threaded  needle  sticking  in  it,  was  presented  by 
Col.  Durye"e  to  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  The  first  Confederate  flag  taken 
in  the  field  was  captured  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  on  May  23d,  by  two  Union  men 
named  William  McSpedon,  of  New  York  City,  and  Samuel  Smith,  of  Queens 
County,  N.  Y.  On  May  24th  Col.  Ellsworth  captured  the  Confederate  flag,  and 
lost  his  life,  at  Alexandria,  Va. 


Our  First  Camp  in   Virginia.  41 

pleased  with  it.  But  the  whole  regiment  would  have  united  in  a 
protest  against  his  leaving  the  command;  and  his  reason  for 
declining  the  promotion  was  that  he  was  so  much  attached  to  the 
regiment  that  he  could  not  endure  to  be  detached.  No  man  in 
the  regiment  has  performed  multifarious  and  arduous  duties  bet- 
ter, and  is  more  respected  by  his  brother  officers  and  beloved  by 
the  men  than  Adjutant  Hamblin. 

There  are  now  four  regiments  encamped  here — Col.  Allen's, 
Col.  Carr's,  Col.  Bartlett's,  and  the  Zouaves.  The  laws  protect- 
ing the  property  of  private  citizens  are  strictly  enforced  by  the 
Brigadier,  and  those  of  the  people  that  remain  are  on  excellent 
terms  with  the  soldiers,  while  families  that  at  first  fled  are  begin- 
ning to  return.  As  soon  as  it  becomes  generally  known  that  they 
will  nowhere  be  safer  from  insult,  violence,  and  lawlessness  than 
within  our  lines,  the  deserted  villages  in  this  delightful  neighbor- 
hood will  again  be  populated. 

We  have  experienced  as  yet  but  few  comparatively  of  the  hard- 
ships of  a  soldier's  life.  We  are  particularly  fortunate  in  being 
sent  to  this  delightful  Old  Point  Comfort.  It  is  one  of  the  healthi- 
est places  in  the  world,  and  no  point  could  have  been  selected  at 
which  an  army  may  be  concentrated,  provisioned,  and  kept  in 
good  sanitary  condition,  that  is  superior  to  this.  And  nature's 
great  bath-tub  lies  at  our  feet.  We  may  go  further  and  fare  worse. 

G.  C. 

On  Tuesday,  the  4th,  only  two  companies  were  left  in 
camp  ;  the  rest  were  sent  on  a  scout  to  Fox  Hill,  about  five 
miles  distant.  They  were  accompanied  by  the  Troy  regi- 
ment and  others,  and  expected  to  have  a  fight.  The  night 
before  had  been  a  trying  one  ;  the  regiment  was  out  on 
parade,  when  a  storm,  which  had  been  threatening  to  break 
at  any  moment,  burst  upon  them  in  all  its  fury.  The  men 
were  dismissed  to  their  tents,  but  before  reaching  them  were 
completely  drenched.  The  tents  were  small,  and  not  being 
water-proof,  the  rain  soaked  through  so  much  that  the  inmates 
and  the  contents  were  thoroughly  wet.  The  earth  floors 
caught  the  drippings,  and  were  soon  turned  into  muddy 


42  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

beds.  The  men  passed  a  sleepless  and  disagreeable  night ; 
the  whole  camp  was  flooded,  and  the  next  day  blankets, 
overcoats,  Bibles,  and  Prayer-books  were  spread  out  to  dry, 
and  the  men  waited  patiently  for  their  clothing  to  dry  on 
their  backs. 

The  provisions  were  scant  at  times,  and  the  officers  were 
disposed  to  be  cross — a  feature  which  did  not  make  matters 
anymore  cheerfu1. 

Much  of  the  spare  time  of  the  men  when  off  duty  was  oc- 
cupied in  cleaning  their  arms  and  accoutrements,  and  it  was 
required  of  them  that  they  be  kept  in  prime  order,  or  the 
guard-house  or  extra  duty  awaited  the  delinquent ;  and  as 
nothing  was  allowed  to  rub  them  with,  the  men  were  com- 
pelled to  use  earth  and  old  pieces  of  rags,  if  they  could  be 
procured.  But  all,  both  officers  and  privates,  were  held  to 
a  strict  account  in  their  various  spheres  of  duty,  and  the 
discipline  was  very  severe.  It  may  have  been  rigorous,  but 
it  was  the  only  way  to  make  good  soldiers  of  such  a  diver- 
sified body  of  men  as  composed  this  regiment. 

On  Wednesday,  June  5th,  Sergeant  D ,  of  Company 

G,  resigned  as  a  non-commissioned  officer,  on  account  of 

being  reproved  by  Captain  D ,  of  Co.  B,  the  officer  of  the 

day,  for  not  compelling  six  men  who  had  been  with  others 
on  a  scout  of  fifteen  miles  that  day,  to  leave  their  supper 
immediately,  and  take  some  prisoners  down  to  Fortress 
Monroe.  The  Captain  himself  had  been  lying  in  camp  .ill 
day.  Exposure  and  hard  service  were  beginning  to  show 
their  effect  on  the  men,  and  there  were  a  number  on  the 
sick-list,  several  being  sent  to  the  hospital  In  the  morning 
the  sound  of  heavy  cannonading  was  heard  in  the  distance. 
It  was  probably  some  of  the  men-of-war  bombarding  Con- 
federate batteries  near  Norfolk. 

Captain  Winslow,  Lieutenant  Hoyt,  and  Lieutenant  Fer- 
guson, with  Company  K,  and  a  company  of  the  Second  Troy 
Regiment,  made  a  nocturnal  expedition  into  the  interior, 


Our  First  Camp  in   Virginia.  43 

capturing  two  men,  a  secession  flag,  uniforms,   and  other 
trophies. 

According  to  the  following  extract  from  the  New  York 
Daily  Times,  the  flag  was  presented  to  the  Union  Defense 
Committee  of  New  York  : 

"  Quartermaster  Bailey  Myers  arrived  yesterday  from  Fortress 
Monroe,  bringing  the  secession  flag  which  was  captured  by  Colo- 
nel Duryee's  "  Red  Devils/'  the  Zouaves,  at  Hampton.  The  trophy 
was  sent  by  Major-General  Butler  through  Quartermaster  Myers 
to  the  Union  Defense  Committee,  with  a  letter  highly  compli- 
menting Colonel  Duryee  and  his  command.  The  flag  is  made  of 
a  coarse  red  and  white  flannel,  with  a  blue  field  of  the  same 
material,  the  stars,  eight  in  number,  being  made  of  white  cloth  ; 
the  ends  are  somewhat  whipped  out  by  the  wind.  It  is  at  the 
rooms  of  the  Committee." 

The  Fox  Hill  expedition  having  returned,  I  can  not  do 
better  than  give  the  full  report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  War- 
ren, who  was  in  command  : 

CAMP  BUTLER,  June  4,  1861. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  an  ex- 
pedition in  front  of  our  lines,  on  the  3d  and  4th  instants.  About 
4  P.M.  on  the  3d  instant  I  was  handed  a  communication  from 
Colonel  Allen,  addressed  to  Colonel  Duryee,  commanding  the 
brigade,  which  was  as  follows  : 

CAMP  Dix,  June  3,  1861. 
COLONEL  DURYEE : 

SIR  : — I  am  directed  by  General  Butler  to  call  upon  you  for  a 
detachment  of  men  to  accompany  three  companies  of  my  regi- 
ment to  ascertain  the  correctness  of  the  reported  capture  of  126 
officers  and  men  of  the  regiment,  this  morning,  at  Fox  Hill,  and, 
if  so,  to  recapture  them,  or  if  not,  to  conduct  them  in. 

In  haste,  yours, 

W.  H.  ALLEN, 
Colonel  First  Regiment. 

And,  at  the  same  time,  I  was  directed  to  have  ready  a  detach- 


44  Fifth  New  York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

ment  for  the  purpose.  Orders  were  right  away  given  by  me  to 
Captain  Hull,  Captain  Kilpatrick,  Captain  Winslow,  and  Captain 
Bartlett,  to  have  their  companies  in  readiness,  with  canteens, 
haversacks  containing  one  day's  rations,  and  fifteen  rounds  of 
ammunition  in  their  cartridge-boxes.  This  was  promptly  com- 
plied with,  and  at  5  P.M.  we  received  the  order  to  march,  cross 
the  river  at  Hampton,  and  interrupt  any  parties  returning  toward 
Yorktown  or  Williamsburgh  from  the  neighborhood  of  Fox  Hill. 
Owing  to  sickness  and  the  number  of  men  detailed  for  guard, 
the  aggregate  force  of  the  four  companies  was  only  eight  officers 
and  200  men.  As  Captain  Kilpatrick's  company  were  drilled  in 
the  duty  of  skirmishers,  it  was  thrown  in  advance  after  crossing 
over  to  Hampton,  and  seized  the  cross-road  about  a  mile  beyond, 
at  which  point  any  land  expedition  returning  from  Fox  Hill  would 
be  compelled  to  pass.  The  main  body  passed  through  Hampton, 
but  being  overtaken  by  a  violent  rain-storm,  took  shelter  in  an 
abandoned  house,  and  waited  there  till  dawn  of  day.  Numbers 
of  colored  persons  were  examined,  and  all  agreed  that  no  force 
had  passed  in  the  direction  of  Fox  Hill,  nor  could  any  rumor  of 
the  capture  of  Colonel  Allen's  men  be  discovered. 

I  determined,  however,  to  advance  in  the  direction  of  Yorktown 
sufficiently  far  to  show  forces  at  that  place  that  they  could  not 
conduct  small  expeditions  with  impunity  so  near  to  us,  and  be- 
sides to  assure  the  citizens  that  all  our  authorized  expeditions 
would  respect  peaceable  persons  and  property.  With  these  ob- 
jects I  concluded  to  go  to  a  place  called  the  County  Bridge, 
about  nine  miles  from  Hampton,  where  there  was  said  to  be  a 
battery  of  several  cannon,  and  capture  it  if  practicable.  About 
two  and  a  half  miles  beyond  Hampton  we  came  to  Newmarket 
Bridge,  which  spans  a  branch  of  Bark  River.  This  was  partially 
destroyed  by  fire,  but  not  so  much  so  that  we  did  not  succeed  in 
making  it  passable  in  a  few  minutes. 

About  two  miles  further  on  the  scouts  in  advance  met  a  wagon 
containing  two  or  three  men,  who  at  once  turned  around  and 
fled.  Several  shots  were  fired  over  them  to  induce  them  to  stop, 
but  without  effect.  From  that  time  on  we  frequently  saw  men 
on  our  flanks  in  the  woods,  and  heard  shots,  giving  warning  of 
our  advance.  At  one  house,  where  there  were  several  women, 


Our  First  Camp  in   Virginia.  45 

our  passing  by  caused  great  terror,  and  their  lamentations  were 
piteous.  Their  cries,  "  Oh,  my  dear  father  ;  oh,  my  dear  brother," 
and  entreated  us  to  go  back  and  spare  the  shedding  of  blood, 
fell  painfully  on  our  ears.  The  .presence  of  Rev.  Dr.  Winslow 
and  Dr.  Gilbert,  however,  soon  quieted  them.  Some  of  my  men 
filled  their  canteens  at  the  well  as  we  passed  on.  We  reached 
the  County  Bridge  at  9  A.M.  The  stream  is  a  branch  of  the  Bark 
River,  and  is  easily  forded,  and  the  bridge  is  uninjured.  There 
is  a  frame  building  church  on  the  other  side,  in  rather  a  dilapi- 
dated condition.  No  human  being  was  in  the  vicinity,  nor  did  it 
give  evidence  of  having  been  occupied,  except  by  a  few  persons, 
since  the  rain.*  Trees  cut  down  near  the  bridge  indicated  that 
arrangements  had  been  made  to  dispute  its  passage.  There 
were  no  breastworks  other  than  an  old  pit,  which  had  probably 
been  a  cellar,  which  would  have  effectually  sheltered  about  fifty 
men.  The  floor  of  the  church  was  strewn  with  corn-cobs,  and 
had  been,  probably,  occupied  as  a  stable. 

We  were  told  that  horsemen,  to  the  number  of  forty,  came 
here  every  night,  and  that  the  guns  were  removed  last  Saturday, 
the  ist  inst.  Some  letters,  all  of  a  private  nature,  picked  up  in 
the  vicinity,  indicated  a  speedy  abandonment  of  the  place.  We 
regretted  very  much  to  find  no  enemy  there,  as  the  vicinity  is 
very  favorable  to  infantry  operations.  We  returned  by  a  road 
about  one  mile  to  the  east  of  the  one  by  which  we  advanced, 
and  which  crosses  the  stream,  the  bridge  of  which  we  had  re- 
paired in  the  morning,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  lower  down. 
The  heat  of  the  sun,  on  our  return,  was  intense,  but  on  reaching 
this  stream  again  about  3  P.M.,  a  violent  shower  came  on  us,  and 
soon  all  were  wet  to  the  skin.  The  bridge  at  this  point  was 
entirely  destroyed,  so  we  concluded  to  ford  it.  Finding  the 
water  over  the  men's  heads,  the  passage  was  accomplished  by 
swimming.  A  few  who  could  not  swim  were  passed  over  on  a 
little  scow  which  was  there.  This  filled  once  with  water,  with 
three  men  in  it  who  could  not  swim,  but  these  were  all  rescued 
at  once  by  those  who  could.  It  continued  to  rain,  with  slight 


*  (Big  Bethel),  "  Report  of  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,"  (Vol.  I,  p 
783.)  General  Warren  says  :  "  I  had  been  on  the  ground  six  days  previously,  and 
had  reconnoitered  it,  though  nobody  then  present  knew  that  I  had  done  so." 


46          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

intermission,  till  our  return  to  our  camp,  about  5i  P.M.  The 
expedition  was  out  about  twenty-four  hours.  The  sleep  the  men 
got  was  while  under  arms  in  the  house  at  Hampton,  lying  on 
the  floor.  Owing  to  inexperience  and  eagerness  to  set  out,  my 
directions  for  supplying  themselves  with  rations  were  imperfectly 
complied  with,  and  they  suffered  severely  for  want  of  something 
to  eat.  Nothing,  however,  was  taken  from  the  people  along  the 
road  but  a  little  corn-bread  and  milk,  which  was  paid  for  at  more 
than  twice  its  value. 

The  cheerful  manner  in  which  most  of  the  command  bore  their 
hard  march  under  a  broiling  sun,  and  crossed  a  deep  stream  by 
swimming,  and  finished  the  last  four  miles  of  their  march  in 
their  jaded  condition,  with  wet  clothes,  over  a  muddy  road,  all 
show  what  they  may  accomplish  in  the  future.  And  the  respect 
paid  to  persons  and  property  was,  in  my  opinion,  as  great  a 
triumph  for  our  cause  as  would  have  been  a  victory  over  armed 
men. 

After  describing  the  immense  resources  of  the  country,  in 
wheat  and  corn,  fowls  and  cattle,  and  that  if  he  had  been 
directed  to  do  so  he  could  have  brought  in  large  numbers  of 
the  latter,  the  report  continues  : 

The  only  thing  taken  was  a  horse,  which  was  given  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Winslow  to  ride.  It  was  in  the  possession  of  a  negro 
boy,  who  said  it  belonged  to  a  man  (not  his  master)  who  had 
joined  the  secessionists.  A  fine  Pointer  dog  followed  us  in  from 
one  of  the  deserted  houses.  The  negroes  we  met  were  seem- 
ingly glad  to  see  us.  The  poor  whites  seem  to  desire  neutrality, 
though  many  of  them  are  with  the  secessionists.  On  our  return 
we  met  a  young  gentleman  with  two  beautiful,  well-dressed 
ladies — one  of  them  very  young — going  in  a  buggy  toward  York- 
town.  I  begged  them  to  stay  at  home  and  aid  us  in  restoring 
peace  to  their  country,  and  told  them  that  I  would  insure  them 
protection,  and  also  requested  the  gentleman  to  inform  others 
he  met  in  the  place  to  which  he  was  repairing  to  the  same  effect, 
He  said  he  would  do  so,  but  it  would  do  no  good  ;  they  would 
not  believe  us.  He  said  frankly  that  the  proclamation  of  General 


Our  First  Camp  in   Virginia.  47 

Butler  had  proved  but  a  snare,  to  those  who  trusted  in  it ;  that 
his  uncle,  Mr.  Sinclair,  had  seen  all  his  chickens  killed. before  his 
eyes,  not  even  the  mother  of  a  little  brood  was  spared  ;  houses, 
too,  had  been  plundered  of  their  furniture,  and  people  would 
never  return  again  while  a  Northern  man  remained  on  the  soil 
of  Virginia.  To  one  of  the  ladies,  at  her  request,  I  gave  the 
letters  we  picked  up  at  the  County  Bridge,  the  only  proof  I  could 
give  of  my  sincerity.  It  is  in  vain  to  attempt  to  pacify  or  render 
these  people  friendly,  unless  the  greatest  rigor  is  used,  not 
merely  toward  those  who  are  caught  committing  depredations, 
which  is  difficult  to  do,  but  toward  every  one  found  beyond  some 
established  line  without  authority.  I  would  respectfully  suggest 
that  no  more  seizures  of  cattle  or  provisions  shall  be  made,  even 
when  left  behind  by  avowed  secessionists.  They  will  otherwise 
carry  it  off  or  destroy  it.  But  if  it  remain  unmolested  by  us,  we 
will  find  abundance  of  means  at  hand  to  sustain  us  whenever  we 
choose  to  advance  in  force.  Small  scouting  parties  in  front  of 
our  lines  keep  up  a  needless  alarm,  and  must  fail  in  capturing 
detachments  of  the  enemy,  who,  being  well  mounted  and  ac- 
quainted with  the  country,  flee  at  our  approach.  Besides,  these 
scouting  parties  tend  to  demoralize  the  regiment,  antf  prevent 
that  attention  to  drill  and  discipline  so  essential  to  the  real 
operations  of  war.  Let  us  remain  quietly  within  our  lines,  pre- 
paring for  the  greater  struggle  ;  let  our  foes  even  think  we  fear 
them,  if  thereby  their  temerity  may  place  them  more  within  our 
grasp ;  and  when  we  do  move,  let  it  be  like  the  bound  of  the  lion 
from  his  covert. 

Then  after  describing  the  character  of  the  country  for 
military  operations,  the  report  closed  by  saying : 

Feeling  that  any  compliment  paid  by  me  to  the  men  under  my 
command  might  be  construed  as  an  indirect  one  to  myself,  I 
respectfully  submit  this  report  of  their  march  without  further 
comment. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient, 

G.  K.  WARREN, 
Lieut. -Col.  Com.  Expedition. 
To  COLONEL  A.  DURYEE,  Com.  yh  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  V. 


48  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  following  narrative  is  by  the  correspondent  of  the 
New  York  Times  : 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  at  about  I  o'clock,  Captain  H. 
Duryea  took  a  detachment  of  three  companies  and  started  for 
Fox  Hill  to  rescue  the  men  of  Colonel  Allen's  regiment,  who 
were  reported  to  have  been  captured  by  the  rebels.  After  a 
forced  march  of  nine  miles  they  arrived  at  a  farm-house  at  Fox 
Hill,  where  it  was  reported  that  there  was  an  intrenched  enemy, 
but  there  was  none  to  be  found. 

They  halted  there  a  short  time,  and  procuring  a  guide,  started 
for  Back  River,  a  distance  of  five  miles  further  on  ;  but  on  ar- 
riving there  they  were  again  doomed  to  disappointment — the 
enemy  had  gone. 

Lieutenant  George  Duryea  took  twenty  men,  and  started  up 
the  river  to  secure  boats.  While  on  this  duty  he  stopped  at  a 
farm-house  owned  by  a  Union  man,  who  offered  him  and  his 
men  a  bountiful  breakfast,  which  was  declined,  though  milk  and 
corn-bread  were  furnished  to  the  men.  He  secured  a  few  boats, 
but  soon  after  an  aide  from  headquarters  reported  that  Colonel 
Allen's  regiment  was  safe,  so  the  boats  were  not  needed,  and  a 
return  to  camp  was  ordered,  by  a  different  route,  however,  the 
command  passing  through  Hampton.  While  passing  through 
the  village,  Lieutenant  Burnett,  with  a  flanking  party  in  advance, 
was  struck  on  the  right  breast  by  a  spent  ball,  inflicting  but  a 
slight  wound,  the  ball  falling  from  his  shirt  to  the  ground.  It 
did  not  keep  him  from  pursuing  the  march.  With  this  single 
exception,  everybody  arrived  safely  in  camp  after  a  march  oi  ten 
hours.  On  Saturday  afternoon  we  had  another  general  call  to 
arms,  by  a  report  that  two  companies  of  the  Troy  regiment  were 
being  attacked  at  Hampton.  The  men  sprang  into  the  ranks  ; 
some  of  the  Troy  regiment  rushed  down  to  Hampton,  without 
waiting  for  the  command  ;  aides  were  galloping  along  the  road  at 
full  speed  ;  and  the  Zouaves,  with  fifteen  rounds  of  ammunition, 
left  their  camping-ground  and  halted  at  the  main  road.  There 
were  a  few  minutes  of  suspense,  and  then  word  came  that  it  was 
a  false  alarm.  The  news  was  received  with  great  disappoint- 
ment, and  the  men  marched  downcast  back  to  camp. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

BIG   BETHEL. 

SUNDAY  EVENING  ORDERS — OUR  COMRADES — A  LOYAL  NEGRO — CAPTAIN  KIL- 
PATRICK'S  ADVANCE — A  VIRGINIA  PRISONER — A  FATAL  MISTAKE — BIG  BETHEL 
—A  WOUNDED  COMRADE— A  SOLDIER'S  TRIBUTE— DEATH  OF  LIEUTENANT 
GREBLE — HONORABLE  MENTION — A  NAVAL  COMMANDER— CORRESPONDENCE 
OF  THE  NEW  YORK  Tribune — FLAG  OF  TRUCE. 

SUNDAY,  the  gth  of  June,  was  spent  in  the  usual  duties  as- 
signed to  the  day.  The  regiment  was  out  on  parade  as 
usual.  After  it  was  dismissed,  the  men  were  again  assem- 
bled, and  each  man  supplied  with  twenty  rounds  of  cartridges 
in  addition  to  what  he  had  in  his  cartridge-box.  Ail  was  bustle 
and  activity.  The  men  felt  confident  they  were  going  out 
on  an  expedition  somewhere,  but  in  what  direction  was 
entirely  unknown. 

Taps  were  sounded  at  the  usual  hour,  and  all  not  on  spe- 
cial duty  were  ordered  to  their  tents.  A  few  minutes  later 
the  orderlies  of  the  companies  went  to  each  tent,  and  in  an 
undertone  notified  the  occupants  that  at  half-past  ten  o'clock 
every  man  would  be  called  to  immediately  equip  without 
noise  or  light,  and  fall  in  line  in  front  of  the  tents  ;  each  man 
was  to  be  supplied  with  one  day's  rations  and  a  canteen  of 
water. 

They  were  to  tie  the  white  turban  twice  around  the  left 
arm,  as  a  distinguishing  mark,  and  the  watchword  "  Boston  " 
was  given.  Several  able-bodied  men  were  detailed  to  re- 
port to  the  surgeons,  from  which  it  was  inferred  that  some- 
thing in  earnest  was  to  be  done.  About  9.30  P.M.  a  body 
of  men  marched  away  from  the  regiment ;  they  made  so  lit- 
tle noise  that  it  seemed  a  mystery  where  they  came  from. 
3  (40) 


5O          Fifth  New.  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

They  were  Companies  H  and  I,  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tains Kilpatrick  and  Bartlett  respectively,  and  were  to  proceed 
in  advance  of  the  regiment  as  scouts  and  skirmishers,  and 
also  to  stop  all  persons  that  might  be  going  from  Hampton 
toward  the  enemy.  It  was  now  understood  that  the  regiment 
was  to  act  in  concert  with  Colonel  Bendix's  7th  New  York 
(Steuben  Rifles)  from  Newport  News,  for  the  purpose  of  sur- 
prising and  capturing  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  if  possible, 
a  Confederate  camp,  at  a  place  about  eleven  miles  from 
Hampton,  and  known  as  BIG  BETHEL. 

Two  other  regiments  were  to  follow  as  supports  in  case 
they  were  required — Col.  Carr's  2d  New  York  (Troy  regi- 
ment), and  Colonel  Townsend's  3d  New  York  (Albany  regi- 
ment). Lieutenant  Greble,  of  the  2d  Artillery,  with  eleven 
regulars  and  one  rifled  six-pounder  from  the  fortress,  accom- 
panied the  expedition.  A  negro  named  George  Scott,  who 
had  been  working  on  the  Confederate  earthworks,  had  run 
away,  and  given  such  information  to  General  Butler,  that 
he  determined  to  send  a  force  against  them,  and  hence  the 
present  movement. 

The  negro  accompanied  the  forces  as  a  guide,  being  sup- 
plied at  his  request  with  a  rifle  and  ammunition.  At  mid- 
night, the  regiment  being  in  line,  740  strong,  and  fully  pre- 
pared to  move,  the  order  was  given  to  march.  They  accord- 
ingly filed  off  on  the  road,  and  soon  reached  Hampton  River, 
which  was  crossed  in  boats  under  the  charge  of  the  naval 
brigade.  This  occasioned  some  delay,  but  the  march  was 
soon  resumed,  the  men  stepping  off  briskly  at  route  step  and 
arms  at  will.  The  men  were  all  in  good  spirits  and  sanguine 
of  success.  After  covering  about  six  miles  of  ground,  a  halt 
was  ordered. 

Those  on  the  right  of  the  regiment,  at  head  of  column,  saw 
a  bright  light  pointing  toward  the  enemy's  position.  It  was 
a  Confederate  signal.  Further  on  another  was  seen,  and 
again  we  came  to  a  slight  halt.  For  the  purpose  of  undei- 


Big  Bethel.  51 

standing  our  position  at  this  time,  we  will  follow  Captain 
Kilpatrick's  movements. 

As  already  stated,  he  and  Captain  Bartlett,  with  their  com- 
panies, left  camp  two  hours  before  the  departure  of  the  main 
body  of  the  regiment.  He  advanced  cautiously  after  getting 
beyond  Hampton,  and  established  pickets  one  and  a  quarter 
and  two  and  a  half  miles  beyond  that  village,  with  the 
necessary  reserves. 

The  pickets  fell  in  with  the  regiment  as  it  came  up  to 
where  they  were  posted.  After  reaching  Newmarket  Bridge, 
Captain  Kilpatrick  took  twenty  men  with  him,  after  the  regi- 
ment came  up  to  a  supporting  distance,  and  advanced  again, 
posting  now  and  then  a  picket  at  important  points.  Aftei 
approaching  to  within  a  short  march  of  New  County 
Bridge,  he  saw  through  the  trees  what  was  supposed  to  be  a 
camp  fire.  He  halted  his  men  and  held  a  short  consultation 
with  his  non-commissioned  officers,  among  whom  there  was 
a  diversity  of  opinion,  some  thinking  that  it  was  a  Confeder- 
ate camp,  and  others  that  it  was  only  a  picket  outpost. 

He  determined  to  reconnoiter  and  ascertain  to  a  certainty 
if  possible,  and  accordingly  selected  a  squad  of  eight  men 
for  the  purpose  :  Sergeant  Benjamin  F.  Onderdonk,  Corporal 
Andrew  B.  Allison,  Samuel  Wilson,  Andrew  Whitehead,  John 
Rock,  James  S.  Boyd,  Fred.  Boiler,  and  Edward  Engel.* 
They  crept  carefully  through  the  woods,  when  suddenly  they 
were  brought  to  a  halt  by  a  challenge  :  "  Who  goes  there  ?  " 
They  did  not  answer.  The  challenge  was  repeated  a  second 
and  third  time,  when  Kilpatrick  immediately  answered  :  "Who 
stands  there  ?  "  A  prompt  reply  came  :  "  A  Virginian."  And 
at  the  same  time  they  heard  steps  pattering  on  the  road  in  re- 
treat, and  also  saw  a  horseman,  who  was  not  yet  mounted, 


*  Sergeant  Onderdonk  subsequently  was  Colonel  of  the  ist  Mounted  Rifles,  and 
acting  Brigadier-General ;  Allison  was  killed  at  second  Bull  Run,  us  color-bearer 
of  the  Fifth  ;  Boyd  lost  his  arm  ;  Bollet  received  four  wounds  ;  and  Engel  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  same  engagement. 


52  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

making  preparations  to  leave.  Corporal  Allison  sprang  in  ad- 
vance, ordering  him  to  halt,  and  supposing  the  enemy  in 
force,  the  Captain  gave  his  squad  the  order,  "  Fire  and 
charge  ;"  which  was  instantly  obeyed,  the  rest  of  his  com- 
pany following  them.  The  whole  affair  was  over  in  a  mo- 
ment. Sam  Wilson,  putting  his  hand  on  the  horseman's 
shoulder,  who  had  not  time  to  mount,  ordered  him  to  sur- 
render, at  the  same  time  disarming  him  of  one  of  his  revolv- 
ers, while  another  took  the  remaining  one  from  his  belt. 
On  the  prisoner  instinctively  feeling  for  them,  he  found  they 
were  gone,  upon  which  he  delivered  his  sword.  It  was  an 
unusually  long  and  sharp  one.  The  prisoner  proved  to  be 
a  Captain  Whiting,  and  the  officer  of  the  guard.  He  was  a 
splendid-looking  specimen  of  a  Southerner,  standing  more 
than  six  feet  in  height,  and  a  perfect  gentleman.  He  was 
taken  with  an  escort  to  the  rear. 

The  main  body  of  the  regiment  had  now  come  up  on  a 
double-quick  on  hearing  the  reports  of  the  pieces.  Soon  after 
this  occurred  heavy  firing  was  heard  in  the  rear,  in  which  the 
report  of  cannon  could  be  distinguished,  and  supposing  that 
the  enemy  had  in  some  way  come  in  contact  with  the  New- 
port News  regiment,  the  Fifth  was  right-abouted  and  marched 
double-quick  about  two  miles  back  on  the  road  by  which 
it  had  just  approached.  Company  K,  Capt.  Winslovv,  being 
thrown  out  on  the  right  as  skirmishers,  advanced  through 
thick  woods  and  wet  wheat-fields.  It  being  now  about  day- 
light, upon  coming  up  to  where  the  firing  had  been  heard,  it 
was  discovered  that  a  most  lamentable  mistake  had  occurred. 
Col.  Bendix,  with  his  command,  the  7th  New  Yoik,  who 
marched  from  Newport  News  in  company  with  detachments 
of  the  5th  Massachusetts  and  of  Col.  Phelps'  Vermont 
regiment,  who  were  to  meet  and  act  in  conjunction  with  the 
Zouaves,  according  to  the  plan  devised  to  surprise  and  cap- 
ture the  Confederate  camp  at  Big  Bethel,  discovered  Col. 
Townsend's  3d  New  York,  who  were  marching  with  iwc 


Big  Bethel.  53 

twelve-pound  howitzers,  on  the  main  road  from  Hampton, 
following  the  Fifth  at  a  proper  supporting  distance  as  a  re- 
serve ;  and  in  the  uncertain  light  of  the  morning,  supposing 
that  they  were  an  enemy,  opened  fire  upon  them,  and  before 
the  mistake  was  discovered  had  killed  and  wounded  eleven 
of  Col.  Townsend's  men.  It  was  saddening  to  see  them  lying 
at  the  little  house  just  off  the  road,  the  victims  of  careless- 
ness or  want  of  discretion,  although  prompted  by  patriotic 
zeal  and  courage.  Half  an  hour  after,  the  Zouaves,  under 
orders,  singing  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner  "  and  other  patri- 
otic songs,  went  hurrying  back  to  the  attack.* 

Before  marching,  however,  a  detail  of  five  men  was  made 
from  Company  G — Benj.  F.  Finley,  John  Gillen,  Ed.  Hoff- 
man, James  Martin,  and  E.  M.  Law — to  burn  down  a  hand- 
some residence  from  which  a  shot  had  been  fired  at  Surgeon 
Howe,  of  the  ist  New  York,  who,  took  charge  of  the  detail 
personally. t  It  was  ascertained  to  a  certainty  that  the  shot 
was  fired  by  the  owner  of  this  elegant  place,  a  Mr.  Whiting, 
who  was  also  an  officer  of  the  Confederate  army.  He  was 
seen  escaping  to  the  woods  from  the  rear  of  the  premises, 
and  the  negroes  also  confirmed  the  intelligence.  It  was 
handsomely  furnished  with  all  that  a  refined  taste  could  sug- 
gest ;  but  before  applying  the  torch,  the  former  slaves  of  the 
owner  were  allowed  to  appropriate  clothing  and  whatever 


*  Gen.  Warren,  "  Report  of  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,"  Vol.  I.,  p.  383: 
11  It  was  planned  for  a  night  attack  with  very  new  troops;  some  of  them  had  never 
been  taught  to  even  load  and  fire.  It  was  planned  to  proceed  from  two  different 
points  distant  from  each  other  six  or  seven  miles.  The  ground  between  was  un- 
known, and  then  the  map  which  Gen.  Butler  furnished  was  a  wrong  map,  made  in 
1819,  and  the  roads  were  all  laid  down  wrong.  The  specific  points  of  instruction 
were  that  the  troops  at  Newport  News  being  some  three  miles  nearer,  should  start 
about  an  hour  after  the  others.  The  true  state  of  the  case  was  that  they  were 
about  four  miles  nearer,  and  that  brought  on  the  collision  which  took  place,  and 
that  was  inevitable.  I  think  the  two  regiments,  when  they  arrived  on  the  ground 
in  the  early  morning,  finding  things  not  at  all  as  they  had  been  instructed,  were 
justified  in  firing  on  each  other.  I  am  satisfied  of  that." 

t  uillen  was  subsequently  wounded  and  crippled,  and  Hoffman  killed  at  second 
Bull  Run. 


54          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

their  fancy  dictated,  while  Hoffman  played  the  "  Star  Span- 
gled Banner "  and  other  airs  on  the  elegant  piano ;  after 
which,  Col.  Durye'e  having  arrived  at  the  scene,  the  torch 
was. applied,  and  on  the  return  march  back  to  camp,  there 
was  nothing  left  of  house  or  contents  but  the  brick  chimney 
and  a  heap  of  smouldering  ruins. 

A  consultation  of  officers  was  now  held  as  to  future  move- 
ments. Col.  Duryee  was  of  the  opinion  that  the  object  of 
the  whole  movement — a  surprise  of  the  Confederate  camps 
— having  been  defeated,  it  was  not  good  judgment  to  ad- 
vance any  further,  but  he  would  advance  if  it  was  the  wish 
of  the  majority.  The  latter  course  was  soon  decided  upon, 
and  Capt.  Kilpatrick,  with  his  Company  H,  and  Capt.  Bart- 
lett,  of  Company  I,  again  took  the  advance  as  scouts  and 
skirmishers,  ahead  and  on  the  flanks  of  the  regiment.  We 
soon  reached  Little  Bethel,  which  the  Colonel  had  particular 
instructions  to  destroy.  It  was  a  low  wooden  structure,  and 
was  a  noted  place  of  meeting  for  the  secessionists  of  that 
part  of  the  country,  where  they  planned  and  matured  their 
schemes  of  treason.  In  a  few  moments  it  was  a  mass  of 
burning  ruins.  Further  on,  when  a  short  halt  was  made, 
some  of  the  Zouaves  went  into  a  house  on  the  roadside,  and 
soon  appeared  with  a  large  earthen  pot  of  honey.  But  they 
were  not  left  to  enjoy  it  alone,  as  they  were  surrounded  in  a 
moment  and  a  score  of  hands  were  fighting  to  get  a  dip  at 
that  unheard-of  luxury  in  camp  life.  Soon  everybody  had  a 
fistful,  and  were  licking  their  dripping  fingers  with  keen  rel- 
ish, when  suddenly  we  heard  the  command,  "  Fall  in  !  Shoul- 
der arms  !  March  !  "  Here  was  a  dilemma  not  anticipated, 
but  it  was  the  work  of  a  moment  to  stoop  down  and  grasp  a 
handful  of  earth  to  remove  the  honey  from  the  hand.  After 
marching  some  distance  we  came  to  a  halt  near  a  country 
school-house.  In  a  twinkling  it  was  full  of  loyal  visitors,  of 
whom  one  played  master  mounted  on  the  platform,  and  was 
trying  to  preserve  order  by  pounding  the  desk  with  a  heavy 


Big  Bethel.  55 

stick,  when  he  was  assailed  by  such  a  cloud  of  books  and 
slates  that  he  was  glad  to  vacate.  Some  were  at  the  black- 
board hanging  Jeff  Davis  with  a  piece  of  chalk  ;  others  writ- 
ing not  very  complimentary  messages  to  "  the  secesh "  in 
general,  which  must  have  provoked  their  ire  if  they  were 
read  after  our  departure.  But  this  amusement  was  suddenly 
cut  short  by  the  appearance  of  an  officer,  who  ordered  them 
to  immediately  rejoin  the  command. 

At  8  A.M.  Captain  Kilpatrick  met  and  drove  in  the  enemy's 
picket  guard.  He  then  detached  twenty  men  from  his 
company,  made  a  reconnoissance,  and  found  the  enemy  about 
two  or  three  thousand  strong,  who,  as  was  afterward  ascer- 
tained, were  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Magruder. 
They  were  posted  on  the  opposite  side  of  a  stream,  which 
was  the  north-west  branch  of  the  Back  River,  on  ground 
slightly  elevated.  The  road  passed  down  a  hollow  as  it 
neared  the  approach  to  the  bridge  over  the  stream  in  front 
of  their  works,  which  widened  out  on  each N flank  into  a  mo- 
rass. They  were  behind  two  strong  earthworks  each  side  of 
the  road,  which  commanded  the  bridge,  and  were  intrenched 
along  the  bank  of  a  wooded  swamp  on  their  right,  and  had 
masked  their  battery,  which,  as  was  afterward  ascertained 
during  the  course  of  the  battle,  mounted  at  least  ten  guns, 
some  of  then!  rifled.  These  completely  raked  the  only  road, 
in  front,  which  was  the  path  by  which  our  regiment  was  ap- 
proaching. Directly  in  front  of  the  enemy's  right  was  the 
morass,  impassable  for  man  or  beast,  without  artificial  help, 
and  in  front  of  their  left  was  the  stream  of  water,  running 
from  the  morass  or  pond.  Between  their  left  and  the  Union 
troops  was  comparatively  open  ground,  partly  planted  with 
corn,  which  bordered  on  a  piece  of  woods,  adjoining  which 
was  an  open  plowed  field.  About  half  a  mile  to  the  rear  of 
this  field  'was  a  farm-house,  being  on  the  right  of  the  road  as 
facing  the  enemy  ;  on  the  left  of  the  road  was  the  morass 
before  mentioned,  directly  in  front  of  the  enemy ;  then  a 


56  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

small  space  of  ground,  with  a  rail  fence,  and  rome  old  sheds  ; 
a  young  peach  orchard,  soil  very  soft ;  then  a  little  narrow  lane, 
that  ran  to  the  left  at  right  angles  with  the  road,  bordered 
with  stone-walls  and  a  barn,  next  to  which  was  a  corn-field. 
About  this  time  Lieutenant-Colonel  Warren  came  up,  and 
taking  command  of  two  companies,  went  forward  as  skir- 
mishers.* They  advanced  on  the  left  and  right  of  the  road 
rapidly,  supported  by  the  rest  of  the  regiment.  Lieutenant 
Greble  advanced  along  the  road  with  the  three  guns.  The 
long  roll  and  the  cries  of  the  enemy  to  "turn  out"  could 
now  be  plainly  heard.  The  regiment  formed  in  line  of  battle 
in  the  corn-field  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  soon  after  ad- 
vanced in  fours  by  right  flank  up  the  road,  and  turned  into 
the  open,  plowed  field  on  its  right,  facing  the  woods,  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle.  Colonel  Townsend  (3d  New 
York)  had  now  come  up,  and  formed  on  the  left  of  the  road. 
Most  of  us  experienced  a  strange  sensation,  as  we  were 
standing  there,  expecting  every  moment  to  receive  a  volley 
from  the  woods  into  our  closed  ranks.  It  was  our  first 
formal  battle.  Every  man  looked  a  shade  paler,  but  it  was 
the  effect  of  stern  determination  and  suppressed  excitement. 
Colonel  Duryee  said  the  cavalry  were  coming  out,  but  the 
result  showed  that  he  was  mistaken.  The  Confederates  had 
not  the'Slightest  intention  of  leaving  their  well-protected  and 
intrenched  position,  unless  it  should  be  to  the  rear.  At 
twenty  minutes  of  ten  o'clock  the  loud  boom  of  a  cannon 
was  heard,  and  Captain  Denike,  of  Company  G.,  took  out 
his  watch,  and  said,  "  Men,  the  ball  has  opened."  This  first 
shot  was  fired  by  the  brave  Lieutenant  Greble,  a  regular 
officer,  who,  with  eleven  regulars  from  the  fort,  aided  by  a 
few  of  the  Massachusetts  men,  had  charge  of  one  rifled 
piece  and  two  twelve-pound  howitzers,  and  had  placed  them 


*  "Report  of  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War"  (p.  383).  General  War- 
ren :  lt  I  pushed  up  with  two  companies  ahead  of  the  regiment,  within  two  or  three 
hundred  yards  of  the  enemy,  and  discovered  that  they  had  cannon,  etc." 


Big  Bethel.  57 

in  the  road  side  of  the  woods,  within  five  hundred  yards  of 
the  enemy's  works,  supported  somewhat  by  three  companies 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Warren. 

Almost  instantaneously  the  first  report  was  followed  by 
another,  and  a  shell  came  whizzing  through  the  air,  with  its 
disagreeable  shriek.  Now  they  come  thick  and  fast,  and  the 
regiment  was  ordered  to  charge  through  the  wood.  At  the 
word  of  command,  on  they  rushed,  with  a  Zouave  cheer, 
through  the  thick  brush  of  the  wood,  which  was  raked  by 
grape  and  canister,  shell  and  solid  shot.  Soon  the  companies 
became  mixed,  and  separated  into  detached  squads,  on  ac- 
count of  the  thick  undergrowth  of  the  woods.  It  was  impos- 
sible to  preserve  the  line  in  breaking  through  the  brush  and 
dodging  trees,  or  even  to  keep  in  view  of  one  another.  The 
wood  resounded  with  cries  of  "This  way,  Company  A," 
"  This  way,  Company  G,"  mingled  with  various  emphatic 
injunctions  not  necessary  to  ba  repeated.  The  firing  now 
became  very  heavy,  but  on  account  of  our  being  so  near  the 
rebel  works,  and  their  fire  directed  by  inexperienced  artil- 
lerists, their  shots  were  aimed  too  high,  and  cut  off  the  tree 
tops  and  boughs,  which  was  more  agreeable  to  the  Zouaves 
than  the  loss  of  their  own  heads  and  limbs.  The  men  were 
now  ordered  to  lie  down  and  keep  covered  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, and  await  future  developments.  In  the  meantime  some 
of  the  boys,  on  their  own  responsibility,  had  crept  to  the 
outer  edge  of  the  woods  nearest  the  enemy,  the  timber  being 
bounded  by  a  rail  fence,  and  thence  kept  up  a  fire  on  any 
Confederate  that  exposed  himself  above  their  works.  It  was 
a  little  to  the  right  of  this  position  that  Major  Winthrop  was 
killed.  Part  of  the  Steuben  Rifles  had  also  crept  up  on  the 
right,  and  kept  up  a  galling  fire,  while  some  of  the  Zouaves 
charged  up  the  road.  Captain  Kilpatrick  and  five  or  six 
others  were  standing  well  to  the  front  in  the  woods,  with 
Colonel  Duryee,  who  was  about  ten  feet  to  the  right,  trying 
to  get  a  view  of  the  Confederate  position,  when  a  grape-shot 
3* 


58  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

cut  through  the  Captain's  thigh  and  scraped  the  other  leg, 
and  went  through  the  thigh  of  Tom  Cartwright,  of  Company 
G,  who  was  standing  near  him  ;  another  shot,  at  the  same 
moment,  tore  off  a  portion  of  the  rectangle  on  the  left  shoulder 
of  Colonel  A.  Duryee.  Captain  Kilpatrick's  inquiry  on  receiv- 
ing the  wound,  "Are  we  going  to  stay  here  and  be  shot 
down,  and  do  nothing  ?  "  was  answered  by  the  order  to  fall 
back  toward  the  edge  of  the  woods,  and  to  re-form,  the  Cap- 
tains and  officers  using  the  most  strenuous  exertions  to  get 
their  companies  together,  with  only  partial  success  on  ac- 
count of  the  undergrowth  which  separated  them.  There 
being  no  order  for  any  general  movement  to  outflank  the 
enemy,  or  change  position,  from  the  Brigadier-General 
(Pierce)  commanding,  and  the  officers  and  men  being  eager 
to  get  at  the  enemy  in  some  way,  in  the  absence  of  direct 
orders,  they  were  not  acting  in  concert,  but  more  or  less  on 
their  own  responsibility.  Colonel  Duryee  and  officers  were 
exerting  themselves  to  get  the  men  again  into  a  battalion 
front  and  calm  their  excitement,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Warren  called  out  that  they  would  flank  them  on  the  left. 

The  morass  in  front,  which  was  impassable,  prevented  the 
Zouaves  from  forcing  the  batteries  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet, 
without  orders,  in  which  undertaking  some  of  the  officers 
would  have  gladly  led.  They  were  in  earnest,  and  ready  for 
any  deed  of  daring.  Captain  Kilpatrick,  in  his  written  report 
of  his  part  in  the  movement,  says  :  "  The  whole  command, 
officers  and  men,  did  themselves  the  greatest  credit,  and,  I 
am  satisfied,  can  conquer  anything  except  impossibilities." 

At  this  stage  of  the  contest,  some  of  the  men  charged  up 
the  road  ;  one  of  them  lost  a  leg,  which  was  cut  off  close  to 
his  body,  by  a  solid  shot ;  another  an  arm,  and  one  was 
killed,  and  the  undertaking  was  found  impossible  without 
support.  Lieutenant  Jacob  Duryee,  of  Company  G,  called 
out,  "  Who  will  follow  me  ?  I  will  charge  the  batteries," 
when  he  was  immediately  surrounded  by  all  within  the  sound 


Big  Bethel.  59 

of  his  voice — about  forty  or  fifty — among  whom  were  most 
of  the  firemen  of  his  own  company,  comprising  members  of 
Engine  Company  12,  Engine  Company  7,  Truck  Company 
9,  and  of  old  Engine  Company  46,  which  had  been  dis- 
banded on  account  of  the  fighting  proclivities  of  its  mem- 
bers. Away  they  rushed,  followed  by  Captain  Denike,  Cap- 
tain Winslow,  and  Lieutenant  York,  and  about  200  of  the 
Zouaves,  out  of  the  woods  across  the  road,  joined  by  Kil- 
patrick,  who  went  limping  along  with  them,  notwithstanding 
his  wounds,  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  giant  form 
of  William  McDowell,*  of  Truck  Company  9,  was  among 
them.  They  dashed  toward  the  peach  orchard,  on  the  left 
of  the  road,  falling  flat  at  each  flash  of  the  rebel  cannon,  then 
up  again  and  on,  as  fast  as  they  could  move,  over  the  soft 
and  yielding  soil,  the  solid  shot  and  canister  shrieking  over 
their  heads.  About  the  middle  of  the  field,  Kilpatrick's 
wounded  leg  gave  out,  and  some  of  the  men  halted  to  assist 
him  to  the  rear,  but  he  requested  them  to  advance.  A  num- 
ber of  the  men  went  no  further.  Robert  Strachan,  of  Com- 
pany I,  who  was  in  the  charge,  seeing  that  he  was  much  ex- 
hausted, assisted  him  to  the  rear.  Finally  the  little  storm- 
ing party,  now  numbering  only  about  fifty,  reached  the  shelter 
of  the  old  sheds,  already  mentioned,  and  just  beyond  was 
that  impassable  morass  that  prevented  them  from  achieving 
a  victory.  Among  that  little  band  were  men  who  had  fought 
fire  and  flame,  and  knew  no  fear,  and  whom  nothing  in  the 
shape  of  man  could  terrify.  This  testimonial  is  to  be  found 
on  the  muster  rolls  of  their  company,  where  the  names  of 
the  most  of  those  who  were  in  this  the  first  real  charge  of  the 
war,  are  to  be  found  as  killed  or  wounded,  at  Games'  Mill 
or  on  Manassas  Plains.f 


*  Killed  at  second  Bull  Run. 

t  The  number  of  members  of  Company  G  that  belonged  to  the  Volunteer  Fire  De- 
partment of  New  York  City  was  twenty-two,  of  whom  five  were  killed,  eight 
wounded  and  injured  (.five  of  whom  were  discharged  therefor),  and  three  returned 


60  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

They  approached  within  three  hundred  feet  of  the  enemy's 
works,  and  kept  up  a  vigorous  fire  from  the  cover  of  the 
sheds.  Colonel  Townsend,  with  the  3d  New  York,  also 
came  up  with  his  regiment  further  to  the  left,  in  good  order, 
the  Colonel  leading,  and  sitting  erect  on  a  white  horse,  the 
impersonation  of  a  valiant  soldier.  It  seemed  a  miracle  that 
he  was  not  killed,  but  such  are  the  chances  of  war.  Frequently 
the  men  who  seem,  by  their  actions,  to  almost  court  death 
are  spared,  while  the  fatal  bullet  strikes  the  skulking  victim, 
far  away  to  the  rear.  Private  William  H.  Burnham,  of  Com- 
pany H,  formerly  in  the  regular  arm)'',  had  the  credit  of  sav- 
ing the  life  of  Colonel  Townsend  by  shooting  a  rebel  lodged 
in  a  tree,  who  had  drawn  his  rifle  on  him.  Burnham  was 
presented  with  a  gold  medal  by  the  Colonel.  The  Con- 
federates now  abandoned  the  works  on  their  right,  but  still 
the  troops  could  not  follow  up  the  advantage  on  account  of 
the  nature  of  the  obstructions  described.  Colonel  Town- 
send,  seeing  two  companies  of  his  regiment  who  had  become 
detached  from  his  left  in  coming  through  the  bushes  to  the 
open  field,  on  his  left  flank,  fell  back,  supposing  them  to  be 
the  enemy,  as  their  uniform  was  very  similar  in  color,  and 
after  holding  the  sheds  for  some  time,  the  Zouaves  also  fell 
back  slowly,  for  there  was  no  possible  use  of  staying  where 
they  were,  the  troops  being  on  the  retreat,  having  been 
ordered  to  do  so  by  General  Pierce. 

Swinton,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  "  (pp. 
32-33),  says :  "  But  it  happened  that  there  was  one  man 
there  who  saw  the  course  of  action  suited  to  the  case.  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Warren  suggested  that  a  regiment  should  be 
sent  round  on  each  side  to  take  the  position  in  flank,  and 


to  duty  after  recovering.  Two  were  discharged  on  account  of  disease,  one  taken 
prisoner,  August  30,  1862,  and  paroled,  and  the  others  were  mustered  out  with  the 
company,  May  14,  1863,  Of  the  whole  number  (22),  one  was  an  officer,  two  were 
ist  Sergeants,  two  Sergeants,  and  six  were  Corporals ;  one,  at  the  time  of  this 
writing,  is  in  the  regular  army. 


Big  Bethel.  61 

when  these  became  engaged,  those  in  front,  lying  in  shelter 
in  a  wood,  should  attack.  This  operation,  if  carried  out, 
would  probably  have  been  successful.  But  the  regiment* 
that  was  to  make  the  movement  on  the  enemy's  right,  in- 
stead of  being  directed  by  a  detour  through  the  woods,  was 
advanced  right  across  an  open  field,  in  front  of  the  position, 
whereby  it  became  exposed  to  an  artillery  fire.  It  happened, 
too,  that  the  left  company  became  separated  from  the -rest 
of  the  regiment  by  a  thicket ;  and  Col.  Townsend,  not  being 
aware  of  this,  and  seeing  the  glistening  of  bayonets  in  the 
woods,  concluded  the  enemy  was  outflanking  him,  and  so 
fell  back  to  his  first  position.  The  regimentt  that  had  gone 
round  on  the  other  flank  found  itself  in  a  difficult  situation, 
where,  being  exposed  to  pretty  severe  fire,  it  was  found  hard 
to  bring  the  men  up.  Major  Winthrop,  aide  to  Gen.  Butler, 
was  killed  while  rallying  the  troops  to  the  assault.  Gen. 
Pierce  ordered  a  retreat,  and  the  regiments  marched  off  as 
on  parade. "J 

About  midway  of  the  orchard  one  of  the  Zouaves  was  ly- 
ing, shot  through  the  chest ;  Wm.  McDowell,  Davenport, 
and  one  other  went  to  his  assistance  ;  Lieut.  York  took  his 
rifle,  and  the  others  carried  him  about  thirty  paces,  but  he 
begged  so  hard  to  be  put  down  again,  and  knowing  that  he 
had  a  mortal  wound,  they  placed  him  with  his  back  against  a 
tree,  supplied  him  with  water,  and  left  him  to  die  in  peace. 


*  Colonel  Townsend's  sd  New  York, 
t  7th  New  York,  Col.  Bendix. 

$  "  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War"  (Vol.  I.,  p.  383),  Gen. 
Warren  says  :  "  Gen.  Pierce  called  a  meeting  of  the  Colonels  about  what  should  be 
done,  and  news  of  some  sort  came  from  Gen.  Butler  by  his  aide.  I  am  sorry  to 
say  they  all  determined  that  we  had  better  retire.  I  opposed  it  myself." 

Swinton  (p.  33).  "  Col.  Warren,  who  alone  protested  against  the  retreat,  volun- 
tarily remained  on  the  ground,  and  together  with  Rev.  Dr.  Winslow,  of  his  regi- 
ment, brought  off  the  wounded.  While  he  yet  remained  on  the  ground,  the  Con- 
federates abandoned  the  position  ;  and  the  reason  assigned  for  this  step  by  Col.  D. 
H.  Hill,  who  was  in  command  of  the  ist  North  Carolina  Regiment,  is,  that  he 
feared  reinforcements  would  be  sent  up  from  Fortress  Monroe." 


62  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Lieut.  John  T.  Greble,  with  the  regulars  and  a  few  of  the 
Massachusetts  men,  as  before  stated,  held  the  most  dangerous 
post,  on  the  road,  with  the  three  guns.  The  solid  shot  from 
the  Confederate  batteries  plowed  their  way  straight  up  the 
road,  from  which  there  was  no  cover,  except  that  occasion- 
ally some  of  the  men  took  shelter  in  the  edge  of  the  wood 
on  the  right  of  the  road.  Lieut.  Greble  would  not  deign  to 
leave  his  post  for  an  instant,  but  coolly  sighted  the  guns  him- 
self and  watched  the  effect  of  every  shot.  Capt.  Bartlett,* 
of  the  Zouaves,  stood  by  his  side  for  some  time.  When  the 
troops  left,  he  saw  that  he  could  not  hold  the  position  any 
longer,  and  was  in  the  act  of  sighting  or  spiking  his  gun 
when  a  cannon  ball  struck  him  on  the  temple,  carrying  away 
half  of  his  head.  The  ball  passed  through  the  body  of  a  man 
standing  near  and  took  the  leg  off  of  a  third.  He  had  only 
five  men  left  with  him  at  this  time.  His  Sergeant  then  spiked 
the  gun.  Four  of  the  regulars  were  killed  or  wounded  out 
of  the  eleven  that  came  with  him  from  the  fort. 

Greble' s  body  was  laid  over  a  caisson,  and  was  dragged 
off  under  the  superintendence  of  Lieut.-Colonel  Warren. 
Lieutenant  Greble  was  the  first  regular  officer  who  fell 
in  the  war.  By  his  bravery  in  standing  by  his  guns,  and 
keeping  up  a  steady  fire  on  the  enemy's  works,  he  prevented 
them  from  using  their  cannon  as  effectually  as  they  could  have 
done,  in  which  case  there  would  have  been  a  very  heavy  loss 
of  life  on  our  side.  The  enemy's  guns  were  under  the  per- 
sonal command  of  Major  George  W.  Randolph,  later  the 
Confederate  Secretary  of  War. 

A  small  number  remained  behind  after  the  regiment 
moved,  among  whom  were  Philip  L.  Wilson  and  George  L. 
Guthrie,  to  rescue  the  wounded,  but  the  special  mission  of 
the  former  was  to  bring  off  Thomas  Cartwright,  already  men- 
tioned as  having  been  shot  through  the  thigh,  and  who  was 
one  of  his  messmates. 


*  Major  nth  U.  S.  Infantry  (1878). 


Big  Bethel.  63 

He  asked  the  men  guarding  Greble's  body  to  assist  him, 
but  they  refused.  He  went  into  the  woods  and  there  met 
Guthrie,  who  was  alone,  and  shouting  for  Tom,  they  were 
finally  overjoyed  to  hear  him  answer  their  call.  They  car- 
ried him  with  much  exertion  to  the  edge  of  the  wood  by  the 
road,  and  leaving  Guthrie  as  companion,  Phil  went  to  find  a 
conveyance.  He  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  hand  cart,  and 
went  back  with  it  to  the  place  where  Guthrie  and  Cartwright 
were  waiting,  having  first  handed  the  Lieut.-Colonel  his  rifle, 
who  told  him  to  make  haste  or  he  would  be  taken  prisoner. 
In  this  way  Cartwright' s  life  was  probably  saved  on  this  oc- 
casion. They  stopped  a  few  moments  at  a  farm-house  on  the 
road,  where  they  found  other  wounded  men,  among  whom 
was  James  L.  Taylor,  of  Company  B,  who  was  conveyed 
there  by  his  friend  Corporal,  afterward  Colonel,  Wm.  Gilder, 
and  who  died  there  the  same  night.  Chaplain  Winslow,  of  the 
Zouaves,  was  waiting  on  them. 

They  were  obliged  to  hurry  away,  as  they  were  closely  fol- 
lowed by  some  of  the  enemy,  who  were  mounted.  This 
party,  which  was  a  mere  squad,  and  was  the  rear  guard,  was 
composed  of  a  few  of  the  Troy  regiment,  some  of  the  7th 
Steuben,  some  of  Townsend's  regiment,  a  few  of  the 
Zouaves,  and  many  of  the  wounded,  all  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieut. -Col.  Warren. 

At  a  cross-road  they  met  two  of  the  Troy  regiment  who 
were  driving  a  wagon  they  had  seized.  They  got  out  and 
Cartwright  was  put  in.  A  skirmish  soon  after  ensued  with 
the  enemy,  who  were  following,  and  was  kept  up  all  the 
way  to  Newmarket  Bridge,  Tom  Cartwright  also  taking  a 
hand  in  from  the  wagon.  At  the  bridge  they  met  Lieut.- 
Col.  Warren,  who  had  left  them  a  little  while  before,  and 
gone  forward  to  hurry  up  the  detail  of  the  naval  brigade, 
whom  he  had  sent  forward  when  he  left  camp  with  two  guns.* 

*  Lieut. -Col.  Warren  did  not  leave  camp  with  the  expedition,  but  a  report  hav- 
ing reached  Camp  Hamilton,  occasioned  by  the  unfortunate  night  encounter  of  the 


64  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  old  sea-dogs  came  pushing  up  the  road,  armed  with 
clubs,  dragging  the  cannon  after  them,  crying  out  every  now 
and  then,  "  Heave  hearty  !  Heave  hearty,  my  lads  !  "  All 
who  were  at  Camp  Hamilton  will  never  forget  the  "  sea- 
pirates."  They  were  the  wildest  and  most  reckless  set  of 
men  ever  got  together. 

The  rear  guard,  after  crossing  the  bridge,  pulled  up  the 
planks,  and  the  enemy  seeing  the  cannon,  abandoned  further 
pursuit.  One  of  the  latter  was  shot  here  by  one  of  our  men. 
The  regiment,  in  the  meantime,  kept  on  their  weary  march 
back  to  camp,  tired  and  footsore.  Their  giant  Adjutant, 
Hamblin,*  at  every  short  halt  to  rest,  threw  himself  on  the 
ground  with  the  exclamation,  "  How  I  like  the  mud  !  "  and 
when  the  men  got  up  to  resume  the  march,  it  was  with  con- 
siderable effort  they  could  get  their  stiffened  joints  to  obey 
their  will.  Finally  they  reached  Hampton,  and  were  rowed 
across  the  river  by  the  naval  brigade  in  flat-bottomed  scows, 
in  one  of  which  lay  the  body  of  the  lamented  George  H. 
Tiebout,  of  Company  A,  who  was  shot  through  the  heart  by 
a  canister  ball,  and  was  the  first  martyr  of  the  5th  Regi- 
ment, in  the  first  battle  of  the  war.  Having  arrived  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  the  march  was  resumed,  and  we  ar- 
rived in  camp  about  8  P.M.,  all  completely  exhausted,  after 
a  march  of  thirty  miles  since  leaving  camp,  besides  standing 
the  brunt  of  the  battle,  which  lasted  two  hours  and  forty 
minutes.  The  first  gun  was  fired  at  twenty  minutes  before 
10  o'clock,  and  the  last  at  twenty  minutes  past  12, o'clock. 

The  men  had  been  without  sleep  for  thirty-six  hours,  with 
only  slight  halts  to  rest — such  as  are  usual  on  a  long  march. 


two  regiments,  that  an  engagement  was  going  on,  he  procured  two  guns  from  the 
fort  and  went  forward  with  some  of  the  naval  brigade,  who  were  dragging  the 
guns.  After  seeing  them  well  on  their  way,  he  put  spurs  to  his  mule  and  came  up 
just  before  the  engagement. 

*  Subsequently  Brevet  Major-General. 


Big  Bethel.  65 

Captain  Kilpatrick  was  placed  on  a  white  mule  after  the 
troops  had  commenced  to  retreat,  by  Captain  Winslow,  his 
wound  beginning  to  be  painful ;  and  inflammation  having  set 
in,  he  was  unable  to  walk.  He  thus  rode  with  the  regiment 
back  to  camp.  He  mentions  in  his  report  the  bravery  of 
Captain  Winslow,  Lieutenants  Hoyt  and  Ferguson,  Sergeants 
Onderdonk,  Agnus,  and  Chambers,  Corporals  Seymour  and 
Allison,  and  Private  Boyd  and  others.  He  further  slates 
that  private  John  Dunn,  whose  arm  was  shattered  by  a  can- 
non ball,  bore  himself  with  the  greatest  bravery,  and  said  to 
Surgeon  Gilbert,  before  amputating  his  arm,  that  he  could 
not  have  lost  it  in  a  nobler  cause.  Private  John  H.  Con- 
way,  Company  K,  is  reported  to  have  said,  when  shot  in  the 
leg,  "  I  have  yet  one  leg  left,  and  will  follow  my  Captain  to 
the  end  of  the  charge."  Private  Joseph  Knowles,  of  Com- 
pany E,  said,  *'  Avenge  the  loss  of  my  arm."  But  one  of 
the  most  affecting  incidents  was  that  of  James  L.  Taylor,  of 
Company  B.  When  he  heard  it  remarked  that  he  had  re- 
ceived a  mortal  wound,  he  said  to  his  true  friend,  Corporal 
W.  H.  Gilder,  "That's  all  right,  'Gilly  '—don't  bother  about 
me  ;  I  can't  live — take  some  one  off  the  ground  who  can 
live,  and  fight  again."  It  was  terrible,  said  his  devoted  com- 
rade, who  had  succeeded,  after  great  efforts,  in  securing  for  a 
second  time  transportation  for  his  dying  friend,  to  be  com- 
pelled to  remove  him  from  the  wagon  to  make  room  for 
another  who  could  live,  and  be  obliged  to  desert  him  at  that 
moment  forever.  But  orders  had  to  be  obeyed. 

While  the  regiment  was  in  the  woods  under  a  heavy  fire, 
the  Color  Sergeant,  who  was  a  man  of  extraordinary  size, 
was  overcome  with  exhaustion  from  the  long  march,  the  heat, 
or  some  other  cause,  and  fell  down  with  them  in  his  hand. 
Corporal  Joseph  A.  Vail,  of  Company  A,  sprang  over  and 
took  them  from  him,  and  bore  them  aloft,  until  ordered  to 
give  them  up  against  his  will  to  Sergeant  Brouner. 

Charles  Metcalf  was  taken  prisoner,  and  never  again  re- 


66          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

turned,  but  preferred  to  cast  his  lot  with  the  traitors,  and 
went  to  work  in  an  iron  foundry  in  Richmond. 

Captains  Kilpatrick  and  Barllett,  of  Companies  H  and  I, 
respectively,  and  their  commands,  won  great  credit  for  the 
extra  duties  they  performed,  having  covered  at  least  five 
miles  more  of  ground  than  the  rest  of  the  companies,  on  ac- 
count of  their  skirmishing  duties  on  the  front  and  flanks  of 
the  regiment.  Captain  Denike  also  stood  bravely  to  his 
post,  and  being  the  oldest  officer  in  the  regiment,  deserved 
equal  honor  for  his  courage  during  the  long  and  tedious 
march,  and  facing  unflinchingly  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Colonel  Duryee  or  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Warren  had  not  been  intrusted  with  the  command 
of  the  expedition,  instead  of  General  Pierce,  who,  as  it  ap- 
peared, had  never  been  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service,  and  had  at  the  time  no  claim  to  any  command. 
Although  General  Pierce  was  much  censured  on  account  of 
the  failure  of  the  attack,  he  proved  himself  in  after  years  of 
the  war  to  be  a  brave  and  capable  officer  on  many  fields  in 
Maryland,  Virginia,  Tennessee,  and  Kentucky.  He  enlisted 
as  a  private  for  three  years,  and  by  his  bravery  soon  rose 
to  be  Colonel  of  a  regiment,  and  finally  was  disabled  by  hav- 
ing his  arm  torn  off  by  a  32-pound  ball  in  battle. 

The  result  showed  that  there  was  a  series  of  mistakes 
from  the  start.  And  the  primary  cause  of  the  failure  of  the 
expedition  should  rest  where  it  belongs — on  the  shoulders 
of  General  Butler.*  Colonel  Duryee,  in  his  official  report, 


*  "  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  "War"  (Vol.  I.,  p.  383),  General 
Warren  says :  "  I  suggested  to  General  Pierce  to  send  a  regiment  on  each  flan  .'  — 
"  he  gave  orders  to  that  effect" — "  to  the  left  about  half  a  mile  could  have  crossed 
the  swamp,  and  been  masked  in  the  woods  and  got  behind  the  battery — am  certain 
of  it."  u  If  Colonel  Townsend  had  gone  into  the  woods,  the  enemy  would  have 
been  compelled,  judging  of  what  I  have  since  learned,  to  have  left  the  ground  at 
once,  or  run  the  risk  of  having  everything  captured.  He  would  have  been  masked, 
and  they  would  not  know  where  he  was  until  he  had  taken  the  battery  in  the  rear." 
"  General  Pierce,  as  I  have  learned  since  from  proceedings  of  court-martial,  was 
never  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  really  had  no  right  to  com- 


Big  BetheL  67 

named  the  following  officers  as  worthy  of  honorable  men- 
tion : 

Lieutenant-Colonel  WARREN,  for  his  aid  in  forming  a 
plan  of  attack  and  remaining  among  the  last  to  bring  away 
the  body  of  a  brother  officer  (Lieutenant  Greble),  and  the 
wounded. 

Chaplain  WINSLOW,  for  his  kind  attentions  to  the  wound- 
ed.* 

Captains  BARTLETT,  KILPATRICK,  and  WINSLOW,  for  the 
effective  manner  in  which  they  skirmished  before  the 
enemy's  fire. 

Lieutenant  JACOB  DURYEE,  who  led  the  charge  with  a 
handful  of  men  to  within  three  hundred  feet  of  the  enemy's 
works. 

Lieutenants  YORK  and  CAMBRELLING,  for  their  brave  con- 
duct. 

Surgeon  GILBERT  for  performing  upon  the  field  of  battle 
successful  amputations,  and  his  unremitting  care  of  the 
wounded. 

Colonel  Durye'e  also  mentions  Lieutenant  Gouv.  CARR, 
in  command  of  Company  B ;  Lieutenant  GEORGE  DURYEA, 
of  Company  C ;  Sergeants  AGNUS  and  ONDERDONK,  and 
Corporals  ALLISON  and  BROUNER. 


mand  the  Colonels  there,  and  I  think  he  felt  it,  though  they  did  not  know  it."  u  I 
think  the  plan  of  the  fight,  which  was  got  up  beforehand,  from  the  very  beginning 
involved  a  failure,  so  much  so,  that  I  was  ready  to  state  that  it  was  planned  for  a 
failure,  and  must  have  been  one  except  by  great  good  luck." 

*  "  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War  "  (Vol.  I,  p.  383).  General 
Warren  says :  u  Greble's  gun  was  spiked  by  his  men,  as  they  could  not  draw  it  off. 
Ten  men  of  the  ist  New  York  brought  away  the  limber  and  his  body  after  all 
that."  "  Rev.  Dr.  Winslow  and  myself  remained  on  the  ground,  I  think  an  hour 
and  a  half,  and  brought  off  the  wounded  we  thought  could  live,  everyone  of  them  ; 
we  had  to  draw  them  off  in  hand-carts."  u  I  think  they  left  their  works  while  we 
were  on  the  ground."  "We  saw  no  one."  "  We  went  up  all  through  the  wood 
and  were  not  fired  at.  I  was  dressed  in  this  red  Zouave  uniform.  I  went  down 
with  six  or  seven  men,  about  i  P.M.,  and  put  Lieutenant  Greble  on  the  limber  and 
went  right  down  the  road  in  plain  sight.  There  was  no  General  then  at  the  fight 
at  all."  u  The  troops  marched  off  as  on  parade  ;  the  regiment  left  to  cover  the  re- 
treat went  with  them."  "  The  2d  New  York  regiment  brought  off  a  gun." 


68  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  report  says  :  "  There  was  no  flinching  on  the  part  of 
any  officer  or  private,  and  I  might  mention  many  more  with 
honor ;  "  and  concludes  as  follows  :  "  In  closing,  I  can  not 
but  speak  of  Colonel  Townsend,  of  the  3d  New  York, 
who,  with  his  whole  command,  stood  up  nobly  in  my  sup- 
port until  compelled  to  retreat  by  the  terrible  fire. — Per 
ordei|Colonel  A.  DURYEE  ;  Lieutenant  MALLORY,  A.  D.  C." 

An  incident  of  an  amusing  character,  that  occurred  while 
crossing  Hampton  Creek,  is  deemed  worthy  of  mention. 
One  of  the  Captains,  with  part  of  his  command,  had  em- 
barked on  one  of  the  scows  at  Hampton,  and  seeing  more 
men  crowding  in  than  he  desired,  turned  to  the  old  salt  who 
appeared  to  have  charge  of  it,  and  who  was  a  member  of 
the  much-abused  "  naval  brigade,"  and  ordered  him  rather 
peremptorily  to  shove  off.  It  was  as  good  as  a  play  to  see 
the  indignant  air  of  insulted  authority  with  which  the  son 
of  Neptune  turned  and  surveyed  the  officer. 

He  straightened  himself,  as  if  he  was  a  Commodore  on 
his  quarter-deck,  and  looking  at  the  Captain  from  head  to 
feet,  and  from  feet  to  head,  burst  out  with  a  round  sailor's 
oath,  and  said  :  "  You  !  Sergeant,  or  Corporal,  or  whatever 
you  are  !  If  you  don't  like  the  management  of  this  'ere 
craft,  just  heave  yourself  ashore — quick  !  I  want  you  to 
understand  that  I  am  in  command  of  this  'ere  vessel  ! " 

On  Tuesday,  June  nth,  the  men  had  passed  through  so 
much  labor  and  excitement,  that  they  were  thoroughly  ex- 
hausted, and  were  allowed  to  rest  at  will,  and  were  excused 
from  drill  the  following  day.  General  Butler  paid  a  compli- 
ment to  Colonel  Durye'e  and  his  Zouaves  for  the  conspicu- 
ous part  they  took  in  the  encounter. 

The  special  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune 
furnished  that  journal  with  the  following  narrative  of  the 
sending  in  of  a  flag  of  truce  : 


Big  Bethel.  69 

OLD  POINT  COMFORT,  June  13,  1861. 

Yesterday  Captain  H.  E.  Davies,  Jr.,*  of  Company  C,  in  Colonel 
Duryee's  regiment,  made  a  visit  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  York- 
town.  Tuesday  evening  he  received  orders  from  General  Butler 
to  proceed  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  scene  of  the  recent  conflict, 
to  look  after  the  dead,  wounded,  and  missing.  Lieutenant  C.  H. 
Seaman,  of  Company  C,  and  Assistant  -  Surgeon  Martin,  were 
detailed  to  accompany  him.  Starting  early  Wednesday  morn- 
ing, they  proceeded  as  far  as  Newmarket  Bridge,  which  they 
found  partially  destroyed,  and  which  they  repaired  so  as  to  pass 
over.  On  arriving  within  a  mile  of  Big  Bethel,  they  were  stopped 
by  a  guard  commanded  by  Captain  Early,f  of  the  Virginia  forces. 
On  learning  the  object  of  the  visit,  Captain  Davies  was  informed 
that  Colonel  Magruder,:]:  commander  of  the  Virginia  forces,  had 
left  and  gone  back  to  Yorktown,  and  that  it  would  be  necessary 
to  see  him  there.  Although  he  was  informed  that  a  number  of 
our  men  were  in  that  vicinity  wounded,  Captain  D.  was  not  per- 
mitted to  see  them,  but  was  required  to  proceed  at  once  to 
Yorktown,  twenty  miles  further  on.  An  escort  of  four  men  and 
a  Sergeant  was  furnished,  and  the  party  immediately  set  out. 

They  were  not  permitted  to  take  the  usual  route ;  but  after 
proceeding  along  the  Yorktown  road  for  a  mile  they  struck  off 
into  the  woods  by  a  by-path,  which,  at  frequent  intervals,  was 
defended  by  barricades  of  fallen  trees  and  other  contrivances. 
Pursuing  this  path  three  or  four  miles,  they  took  the  main  road 
again  and  proceeded  to  Yorktown. 

About  half  a  mile  outside  of  the  fortifications  at  Yorktown, 
they  were  halted  at  a  cavalry  camp,  where  they  remained  till 
word  was  sent  to  Colonel  Magruder  of  their  arrival. 

This  officer  soon  came  to  where  they  were,  and  received  Cap- 
tain Davies  and  his  party  with  politeness  and  consideration. 
Colonel  Magruder,  on  hearing  that  Captain  D.  purposed  an 
exchange  of  prisoners,  and  that  he  desired  an  opportunity  to  see 
the  wounded,  said  that  he  would  reply  by  letter  to  General 
Butler,  but  refused  to  allow  Captain  D.  to  visit  either  the 
wounded  or  prisoners,  saying  that  as  they  were  within  his  lines 


*  Subsequently  Major-General  of  Cavalry.  t  Subsequently  General  Early. 

%  Subsequently  General  Magruder. 


7O          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

information  might  be  obtained  prejudicial  to  his  intended  opera- 
tions. 

Captain  Davies  remained  nearly  four  hours  at  the  quarters  of 
Colonel  Hill's*  regiment,  where  he  and  his  party  were  hospitably 
entertained. 

Leaving  the  camp  at  4  P.M.,  under  an  escort  of  Captain 
Phillips  and  two  men,  they  were  conducted  by  a  different  route 
through  the  woods  to  the  vicinity  of  Big  Bethel,  and  from  thence 
by  the  regular  route  to  Newmarket  Bridge,  which  was  the  limit 
of  the  enemy's  outposts.  Captain  Davies  and  his  party  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Hampton  alone,  and  arrived  in  camp  near  midnight. 

The  opinion  of  Captain  Davies,  in  which  those  who  accom- 
panied him  coincide,  is  that  the  force  of  the  enemy  on  the  day 
of  the  battle  at  Big  Bethel  was  at  least  three  regiments  ;  that 
they  were  reinforced  during  the  day  ;  that  their  battery  was 
constructed  with  skill  and  deliberation ;  and  that  the  number 
of  guns  in  position  was  at  least  ten,  and  that  probably  it  was 
greater.  All  information  concerning  the  killed  and  wounded  on 
their  side  was  studiously  withheld  from  Captain  Davies.1 

Capt.  D.  was  informed  that  those  of  our  men  who  had  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  wounded  and  dead,  had  been  prop- 
erly cared  for ;  that  the  wounded,  two  of  the  Fifth,  as  he  under- 
stood, were  receiving  proper  attention,  and  that  the  dead,  of 
whom  there  were  two,  had  been  properly  buried.  Among  these 
was  Major  Winthrop,  who  fell  gallantly  charging  on  the  enemy. 
Capt.  D.  was  given  the  spurs,  cap,  and  note-book  of  the  deceased, 
which,  with  the  watch  of  the  deceased,  will  be  forwarded  by  Gen. 
Butler  to  his  friends. 

Capt.  Davies  very  properly  abstains  from  giving  any  opinion 
of  the  strength  of  the  enemy  at  Yorktown,  based  on  what  he  saw 
and  heard,  as  that  might  be  deemed  an  abuse  of  the  flag  of  truce. 

To-day  a  flag  of  truce  came  in  from  Col.  Magruder,  in  response 
to  the  one  sent  out  yesterday.  The  bearer  was  halted  at  the 


*  Subsequently  General  D.  H.  Hill ;  he  commanded  the  ist  North  Carolina 
Regiment  at  Big  Bethel.  < 

t  In  a  cemetery  in  the  city  of  Richmond,  Va.,  on  a  little  mound,  may  be  seen  a 
plain  tablet  of  wood,  on  which  is  inscribed :  "  Here  lies  the  body  of  young  Wyatt, 
the  first  martyr  of  the  war.  Killed  at  Big  Bethel,  June  10,  1861." 


Big  Bethel.  71 

outer  pickets  at  Hampton,  and  communicated  with  Gen.  Butler 
by  letter,  who  replied  in  the  same  way. 

On  Wednesday,  the  i2th  of  June,  at  sunset,  our  comrade, 
George  H.  Tiebout,  of  Company  A,  was  buried.  His  body 
was  laid  in  a  cemetery  near  Hampton.  Nearly  the  whole 
regiment,  with  the  officers,  followed  his  remains  to  the  grave, 
and  paid  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  their  departed  com- 
panion in  arms.  All  were  silent  and  mournful,  and  im- 
pressed with  the  services  in  which  they  were  engaged. 

The  following  extract  is  from  the  last  letter  of  the  de- 
ceased to  his  friends,  which  was  written  on  the  eve  of  the 
battle  in  which  he  laid  down  his  young  life.  Long  before  it 
was  received  by  those  to  whom  it  was  addressed,  his  brave 
career  was  ended,  for  he  had  been  honorably  "  mustered 
out  of  the  service  "  in  dying  for  his  country.  It  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

CAMP  BUTLER,  FORTRESS  MONROE,  ) 
June,  9,  1 86 1.          \ 

KIND  FRIENDS  : — I  hope  you  will  excuse  my  tardiness  in  not 
writing  before,  as  I  have  had  but  very  little  time  to  spare.  Be- 
tween drilling  and  scouting,  our  time  is  pretty  much  taken  up. 
I  have  been  quite  well  so  far.  Soon  after  we  landed,  I  had  a 
bilious  attack,  which  lasted  about  forty-eight  hours.  I  have  been, 
on  two  scouting  expeditions,  but  saw  very  little  of  the  enemy, 

and  none  under  arms This  morning  Col.  Duryee  went 

through  the  entire  regiment  to  find  all  the  sailors,  or  those  who 
could  pull  an  oar.  It  is  reported  that  we  are  to  move  soon — we 
think  on  Yorktown.  Part  go  by  water  and  part  by  land,  so  as  to 
form  a  junction  and  surround  the  "bridge-burners,"  and  take 
them  by  surprise.  I  see  by  the  papers  that  there  are  a  number  of 
false  reports  about  the  food.  So  far,  we  have  had  plenty  to  eat ; 
our  food  consisting  of  pilot  bread,  salt  beef,  pork,  beans,  rice, 
potatoes,  fresh  beef,  bakers'  bread  (fresh  three  times  a  week), 
and  coffee,  with  sugar  in  it.  We  have  two  teams  to  carry  our 
supplies,  and,  in  short,  I  think  we  are  well  provided  for.  There 
is  one  thing :  we  have  good  officers,  and  they  look  out  for  their 


72  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

men,  to  see  that  they  are  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  will 
permit.  We  had  divine  services  to-day — preaching  this  morning 
and  prayer-meeting  this  afternoon.  They  were  very  well  at- 
tended. 

Our  regiment  is  called  "  the  red-legged  devils,"  and  "  the  ter- 
ror of  evil-doers."  I  think  I  have  written  quite  a  long  letter  for 
me,  and  no  doubt  you  are  getting  tired  of  this  scrawl.  Remem- 
ber me  to  all  the  kind  friends  and  tell  them  to  write.  Write 
soon,  and  believe  me  to  be,  as  ever,  your  most  obedient, 

G.  H.  TIEBOUT, 
Company  A,  $th  Regiment. 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  a  companion  of  the 
deceased  : 

CAMP  HAMILTON,  June  10,  1861. 

FRIEND  SIDNEY  : — I  would  sooner  drag  a  ball  and  chain  for 
a  month  than  to  send  this  bad  news  to  you.  Before  this  will 
have  reached  you,  you  will  read  the  account  of  our  attacking  a 
battery,  and  the  pluck  our  boys  showed  in  the  fight.  Our  regi- 
ment got  their  orders  about  seven  o'clock  last  evening  to  attack 
a  battery  about  fifteen  miles  from  our  camp.  As  bad  luck  would 
have  it,  there  was  about  seventy  of  us  left  behind  to  guard  the 
camp  while  the  rest  of  the  regiment  were  away. 

But  now  comes  the  painful  part  of  my  story.  As  our  regiment 
was  advancing  to  charge  on  the  battery,  they  opened  their  fire 
on  us  and  killed  some  of  our  boys.  Among  the  killed  was  poor 
George  Tiebout.  He  was  shot  through  the  heart  by  a  canister 
ball  as  he  was  advancing  on  to  the  charge.  The  man  that  stood 
next  to  him,  and  heard  his  death-cry,  said  that  he  died  like  a 
man  and  a  soldier,  as  he  was.  He  was  a  favorite  with  his  Cap- 
tain  After  the  engagement  the  killed  and  wounded  were 

brought  back  to  camp  in  boats,  landing  opposite  the  Colonel's 
house.  I  was  detailed,  together  with  some  of  the  guard,  to 
carry  the  wounded  and  dead  to  the  hospital.  We  had  to  pass 
through  the  Colonel's  house  to  get  there.  As  we  were  carrying 
the  body  of  poor  George  through,  the  Colonel  happened  to  see 
him,  and  at  the  sight  he  shed  tears. 

You  must  excuse  my  writing,  as  I  am  writing  on  a  shoe-box, 


Big  Bethel.  73 

by  the  light  of  a  lantern.  I  have  been  on  guard  forty-eight 
hours,  and  I  am  staying  on  twenty-four  hours  longer,  as  our 
boys  are  all  fagged  out.  If  it  be  necessary  we  will  remain  on 
guard  twenty-four  hours  after  that.  Poor  George  was  the  first 
martyr  of  our  regiment,  but  he  shall  and  will  be  avenged.  Ac- 
cept this  from  one  who  will  fight  for  the  Union. 

ROBERT  B.  TALFOR, 
Fortress  Monroe,  Co.  F,  $th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  Vols. 

On  the  1 3th  the  Adjutant  reported  the  strength  of  the 
regiment  as  follows :  Present,  792 ;  absent,  officers  and 
men,  n  ;  sick,  including  the  wounded,  43.  Total,  846. 

The  regiment's  loss  was  seven  killed  and  sixteen  wounded. 
4 


CHAPTER  V. 

LIFE  AT  CAMP   HAMILTON. 

FORTRESS  MONROE— INCIDENTS  OF  CAMP  LIFE— DRUMMED  OUT— ANY  PORT  IN  A 
STORM — SERIOUS  ACCIDENT — How  TO  FIND  A  HORSE — CONTRABAND  WIT — A 
GRACEFUL  DIGGER — MRS.  KILPATRICK — NOTES  FROM  THE  JOURNAL — ON  GUARD 
BY  MOONLIGHT — HUTS  IN  THE  WOODS — A  FEZ  STOLEN  BY  MOSQUITOES — A 
COMET — How  WE  SPENT  INDEPENDENCE  DAY— OUR  POSTPONED  CELEBRATION 
— A  FAIRY  SCENE— DONATIONS — DISCHARGES  AND  RECRUITS — A  NEW  FLAG — 
BEAUTIFYING  THE  CAMP— LOSING  BLOOD— A  LOST  SENTINEL— REPORTS  OF  THE 
BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN — EMBARKING  FOR  BALTIMORE. 

THE  eventful  months  were  rapidly  moving  on,  while  the 
active  forces  of  the  two  great  sections  of  the  country  were, 
with  equal  rapidity,  determining  the  moral  as  well  as  the 
political  attitude  of  the  people,  and  their  decision  on  the 
question  of  the  fearful  conflict  that  must  follow,  when  the 
actual  encounter  of  arms  should  take  place.  It  became  very 
evident  that  there  was  a  division  of  sentiment  in  both  sec- 
tions ;  many  of  the  people  of  the  South  were  unalterably 
devoted  to  the  Union,  while  a  large  proportion  of  the  people 
of  the  North,  governed  by  family  relations,  commercial  inter- 
ests, or  subserviency  to  their  party  leaders,  were  either 
hostile  to  the  Union,  or  desired  to  see  the  overthrow  of  the 
constitutionally  elected  administration,  and  the  substitution 
of  a  partisan  and  revolutionary  administration  in  its  place. 
Whatever  were  the  motives  that  animated  men,  it  was  clearly 
evident  that  the  time  for  reason,  compromise,  and  peace 
was  past,  and  that  preparations  were  making  for  a  collision 
whose  duration  could  not  be  foreseen,  whose  cost  could  not 
be  computed,  and  whose  consequences  could  only  be  unfolded 
by  the  actual  results  of  the  future.  Various  opinions  were 
entertained  by  men  of  the  highest  responsibility  in  the  Gov- 
(74) 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  75 

eminent.  So  astute  and  experienced  a  statesman  as  Senator 
WM.  H.  SEWARD,  in  December,  1860,  in  a  spirit  of  hope 
and  patriotic  faith  in  the  loyalty  of  the  people  of  both  sec- 
tions, had  predicted  that  "  it  would  be  a  ninety  days'  won- 
der." Gen.  WINFIELD  SCOTT,  a  Virginian,  well  acquainted 
with  the  animus  and  the  plans  of  the  Southern  leaders, 
quietly,  but  mournfully  said,  "  It  will  be  a  five  years'  war." 
The  judgment  of  the  latter  was  the  prediction  of  many  of 
the  political  leaders  of  the  North  who  sympathized  with  the 
movement ;  for  it  was  the  purpose  of  the  Southern  leaders 
either  to  effect  a  revolution  by  the  aid  of  Northern  allies,  and 
obtain  control  of  the  Government  by  a  short  and  successful 
war,  or  to  prolong  it  through  the  whole  four  years  of  the  ad- 
ministration which  had  been  placed  in  power. 

The  days  and  nights  were  now  rapidly  massing  up  the 
combatants,  who  were  putting  on  their  armor,  and  from  the 
busy  walks  of  commerce  and  industry,  from  the  field  and 
mountain  sides  of  every  State  in  the  Union,  already  three- 
quarters  of  a  million  of  men  had  responded  to  the  call  to 
arms,  and  stood  ready  on  either  side  of  the  great  issue  to 
decide  the  "  irrepressible  conflict "  on  the  field  of  blood. 
The  country  was  waiting  for  the  first  momentous  trial  on  the 
battle-field. 

We  were  lying  near  the  shore  of  Hampton  Roads,  about 
one  mile  and  a  quarter  from  Fortress  Monroe.  It  is  a  not- 
able structure,  and  covers  about  seventy  acres  of  ground. 
As  one  enters  the  gates  the  impression  is  that  he  is  in  a 
large  park.  You  see  trees  and  brick  houses  at  a  distance. 
As  you  advance  you  find  large  dwelling-houses  for  the  resi- 
dences of  the  officers,  with  gardens  laid  out,  a  post-office, 
Adams  Express  office,  etc.  Mounting  the  parapets,  the  vis- 
itor had  a  commanding  view  of  Hampton  Roads,  with  its 
numerous  merchantmen  and  men-of-war  lying  at  anchor. 
The  Rip-Raps  lie  in  range  of  the  guns,  where  another  fort 
was  in  course  of  erection  by  the  Government.  On  the  land 


76          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

side  the  white  tents  of  the  various  regiments  lying  at  Camp 
Hamilton  were  spread  out,  looking  like  toys  in  the  distance, 
additions  to  which  were  constantly  made.  The  guns  were 
placed  so  as  to  command  the  points  in  all  directions,  and 
were  numbered  in  large  figures  by  their  side  on  the  wall. 
The  fortress  was  surrounded  by  a  moat  about  eighty  feet 
wide,  crossed  by  a  draw-bridge,  and  by  pulling  down  a  wooden 
bridge  a  short  distance  from  the  main  entrance,  could  be  ap- 
proached only  by  a  narrow,  low,  sandy  neck,  about  sixty  feet 
wide,  which  was  commanded  by  guns  at  every  angle. 

Camp  life  has  its  incidents  as  well  as  the  march  and  the  bat- 
tle-field, and  some  of  those  which  broke  up  the  monotony  of 
guard  duty,  drills,  and  parades  were  noted  at  the  time  of 
their  occurrence.  Among  them  is  an  instance  of  the  rigor 
with  which  the  determination  to  respect  the  rights  of  prop- 
erty, and  the  homes  of  the  people  of  Virginia,  was  enforced. 
The  Government  and  the  officers  of  the  army  v/ere  equally 
animated  with  a  desire  to  demonstrate  to  the  people  in  re- 
bellion that  there  was  no  design  to  do  them  wrong,  either  to 
their  property  or  to  their  slaves,  and  thus  exert  the  moral  in- 
fluence of  law  and  order  as  a  pacificator,  and  thereby  secure 
their  return  to  their  allegiance.  How  vainly  this  attempt 
was  made,  the  subsequent  events  clearly  proved.  In  this 
spirit,  however,  on  the  i3th  of  June,  the  extreme  penalty  of 
disgrace  was  inflicted  on  two  men  belonging  to  a  regiment 
from  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  who  were  drummed  out 
of  camp,  before  the  entire  brigade,  for  committing  depreda- 
tions in  houses  in  the  vicinity.  They  each  had  ropes  about 
their  necks,  and  large  boards  on  their  backs  with  the  word 
"Thief"  written  upon  them.  It  was  a  humiliating  sight. 

In  contrast  with  the  seventy  of  this  occurrence  there  was 
more  or  less  of  the  humorous  and  the  comic  to  be  enjoyed 
at  times. 

One  evening  after  supper  a  drum  and  fife  were  heard 
playing  the  "  Rogue's  March."  All  hands  turned  out  to  see 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  *]*j 

what  was  the  matter,  when  it  was  discovered  that  some  of 
the  boys  had  caught  one  of  the  colored  servants,  tied  a  rope 
around  his  neck,  on  which  was  a  placard,  and  with  charged 
bayonets,  were  drumming  him  about  camp.  The  men  might 
also  be  heard  at  almost  any  hour  of  the  day,  singing  dog- 
gerel verses  of  their  own  composition,  describing  their  mode 
of  life,  such  as,  "  Oh !  here  conies  the  cook  along  with  his 
cracker  scouse,  etc.,  on  old  Virginia  shore." 

The  men  soon  recovered  from  the  fatigue  of  the  march  to 
Big  Bethel,  but  naturally  felt  disappointed  at  the  result,  and 
wanted  to  try  their  fortunes  over  again.  So  far  from  being 
afraid  of  the  enemy,  they  had  several  skirmishes,  in  some 
cases  almost  single-handed,  while  out  foraging  beyond  Hamp- 
ton, on  their  own  responsibility.  The  Fifth  was  rapidly 
growing  in  favor  with  the  rest  of  the  army  collected  around 
this  point.  The  regulars  at  the  fortress,  since  the  affair  at 
Big  Bethel,  seemed  to  think  there  was  nothing  too  good  for 
our  boys  whenever  any  of  them  visited  the  fort. 

Wednesday,  June  19. — The  experience  of  one  of  the  men 
on  guard  at  night  may  not  be  out  of  place,  and  as  he  was 
one  of  the  whole  military  family,  the  reader  may  sympathize 
with  him  and  the  others  of  the  detail,  although  the  rest  of 
the  regiment  did  not  fare  much  better  on  that  occasion.  About 
the  time  of  guard  mount,  a  tempestuous  rain-storm  burst  upon 
us.  The  men  not  sent  immediately  on  post  hurried  to  the 
guard-tent,  which  could  hold  only  about  one-half  of  them, 
let  them  squeeze  how  they  might.  Our  hero  being  left  on 
the  outside,  bethought  himself  of  the  prisoners'  tent,  and 
plunged  through  the  rain  to  reach  it,  "  any  port  in  a  storm  " 
"being  as  good  a  motto  for  a  soldier  as  for  a  sailor.  Some- 
times, when  the  prisoners  are  amiable,  they  will  allow  an 
outsider  shelter  in  an  emergency;  but  on  this  particular 
night  they  were  not  amiable,  and  he  had  no  sooner  entered 
than  he  was  saluted  with  a  shower  of  tin  cups,  plates,  hard- 
tack, pieces  of  pork,  and  kicks,  amid  cries  of  "Bounce 


78  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

him  ! "  "  Take  his  life  ! "  and  similar  cheerful  greetings. 
Another  old  proverb — "  of  two  evils  choose  the  least" — was 
forced  upon  him.  He  was  not  long  in  coming  to  a  decision, 
and  escaping  from  his  assailants,  there  was  no  alternative 
but  to  stand  up  and  endure  the  storm.  After  being  nearly 
washed  away,  it  stopped  raining,  and  soon  after  he  was  sent 
on  post,  came  off  in  due  time,  and  partially  dried  himself  at 
a  fire  that  had  been  built,  and  was  fortunate  enough  to  find 
a  small  space  unoccupied  in  the  guard-tent,  where  he  spread 
his  blanket  and  composed  himself  for  a  comfortable  rest. 
He  was  just  congratulating  himself  on  his  good  fortune  when 
it  again  commenced  to  rain  in  torrents ;  the  cap  of  the  tent 
having  blown  off,  the  water  began  to  come  into  the  opening 
and  fell  on  his  head.  Soon  some  of  the  guard  began  to  get 
uneasy  and  to  twist  and  turn,  while  some  stood  up.  It  was 
as  dark  as  Egypt,  but  when  the  lightning  flashed  he  could 
see  them  occasionally,  and  congratulated  himself  on  his 
comparative  comfort.  At  last  his  feet  began  to  feel  very 
cold,  then  his  legs,  and  then  his  back.  He  thought  it  was 
time  to  see  what  was  the  matter.  Reaching  out  his  hands, 
he  found  that  a  small  river  was  running  under  him,  when  he 
got  up  on  his  feet,  and  in  a  little  time  the  water  ran  over 
the  top  of  his  shoes.  In  all  these  difficulties  a  song  was 
started,  and  they  relieved  their  discomforts  by  a  spirited 
chorus,  in  which  could  be  distinguished  something  about 
"  hanging  Jeff  Davis  on  a  sour  apple  tree."  Such  was  one 
of  the  episodes  in  soldier  life  on  "  the  sacred  soil "  of  the 
Old  Dominion. 

The  following  day,  Thursday,  June  2oth,  the  weather  was 
delightful,  with  a  fresh  breeze  blowing,  and  it  was  cool  and 
comfortable.  One  could  look  over  Hampton  Roads,  as  far 
as  SewalFs  Point  to  the  south  ;  north  were  the  woods;  and 
the  fortress,  with  its  great  guns,  was  in  plain  view  about  a 
mile  distant.  Most  of  the  men  were  in  good  health  and 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  79 

spirits,  but  grumbling  somewhat  about  their  rations — a 
natural  thing  for  a  soldier  or  sailor  to  do. 

A  serious  accident  happened  previous  to  the  evening 
parade.  A  member  of  Company  G  was  entering  his  tent 
with  his  musket,  which  was  loaded  with  one  of  the  new 
cartridges.  This  cartridge  consisted  of  three  large  buck- 
shot in  addition  to  the  ball.  The  hammer,  which  was  down 
on  the  cap,  caught  on  the  side  of  the  tent,  and  the  charge 
immediately  went  off,  passing  between  two  men  who  were 
in  the  tent  into  the  next  company  street,  one  of  the  buck 
passing  through  the  head  of  Orderly-Sergeant  Dunham,  of 
Company  B.  He  was  taken  up  insensible,  and  was  con- 
sidered to  be  mortally  wounded,  but  recovered  sufficiently  to 
return  to  duty  as  Second  Lieutenant  some  months  afterward, 
but  was  ultimately  obliged  to  resign,  and  received  an  honor- 
able discharge.  A  stack  of  muskets  were  standing  in  front 
of  the  Orderly's  tent ;  the  buck  cut  through  two  straps,  and 
one  of  them  passed  obliquely  through  the  stock  of  one  of 
the  muskets. 

One  of  the  Captains  being  ambitious  of  having  a  horse  to 
ride,  sent  for  J.  G.,  one  of  the  enlisted  men  of  his  company, 
and  told  him  to  take  his  servant  Tommy,  an  intelligent  con- 
traband, and  go  out  into  the  country  and  find  one  for  him. 
The  Captain  gave  him  particular  instructions  not  to  steal  by 
any  means,  but  to  find  one.  Thus  commissioned,  John,  in 
company  with  the  faithful  Tommy,  being  furnished  with  a 
pass,  wended  his  way  toward  Hampton.  On  arriving  there 
Tommy  saw  a  group  of  colored  gentlemen  gathered  together, 
and  thought  it  was  a  very  good  opportunity  to  enlighten  his 
down-trodden  brethren  as  to  the  course  they  should  pursue, 
and  accordingly  opened  his  battery  on  them  forthwith.  In  the 
course  of  his  speech  he  told  them  that  if  they  wished  to  bet- 
ter their  condition  in  life,  they  must  make  the  first  effort,  and 
not  leave  it  to  others.  One  of  them  remarked,  "  that  they 
put  their  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  He  would  help  them."  "  Yes," 


8o          Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

said  Tommy,  "  but  it  is  written  in  Shakespeare,  that  *  the  Lord 
helps  them  that  help  themselves.'  "  This  answer  appeared 
to  make  a  great  impression  upon  the  dusky  audience,  and 
they  seemed  to  be  overcome  with  his  superior  learning.  Being 
put  in  mind  of  his  errand  by  John,  he  wound  up  his  discourse 
amid  much  applause,  and  they  went  to  find  that  horse. 

After  traveling  about  the  country  four  or  five  miles,  they 
spied  a  fine-looking  animal  grazing  in  a  field.  They  had 
provided  themselves  with  a  halter,  so  that  all  that  remained 
to  be  done  was  to  catch  him,  which  was  done  in  fine  style 
by  Tommy — as  John  was  given  strict  instructions  not  to 
steal  one,  which  he  obeyed. 

They  arrived  with  him  safely  at  Hampton,  and  across  the 
creek,  when  John  mounted  him,  having  been  lucky  enough 
to  "  find  "  an  old  saddle  also,  and  made  very  fair  time  back 
to  camp.  He  immediately  reported  to  his  Captain,  who, 
when  he  saw  the  animal,  was  very  much  pleased  at  obtaining 
such  a  prize,  and  at  such  a  low  price.  "But  where  is  Tom- 
my ?  "  asked  the  Captain.  "  Oh  !  he  will  be  here  in  a  few 
minutes ;  he  preferred  to  walk,  and  so  I  left  him  on  the  road." 
"Well,  take  the  horse  down  to  the  Quartermaster's,"  said  the 
Captain,  "and  tell  him  it  belongs  to  me."  "Yes,  sir,"  said 
John,  which  he  did,  and  went  to  his  quarters.  Soon  after- 
ward a  message  was  brought  that  the  Captain  wanted  him. 
On  reaching  the  Captain's  quarters,  the  first  thing  he  saw 
was  Tommy  in  a  sad  plight,  covered  with  mud,  having  from 
his  appearance  evidently  been  in  the  hands  of  the  Philistines. 
He  said  that  as  he  was  passing  by  the  camp  of  the  ist 
New  York,  some  unruly  members  of  that  organization  had 
fallen  upon  him,  and  given  him  a  severe  thumping  for  their 
own  amusement,  and  as  Tommy  was  a  particular  favorite  of 
the  Captain,  John  received  a  severe  reprimand  for  deserting 
his  colored  comrade.  The  next  morning  the  Captain  went 
to  take  another  look  at  his  stallion,  and  examine  his  fine 
points  more  closely,  but  great  was  his  astonishment  and 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  8 1 

chagrin  to  find  that  he  had  disappeared,  and  no  one  could 
tell  how  he  got  away,  or  where  he  had  gone  to  ; .  but  it  was 
suspected  that  our  great  practical,  joker,  the  Adjutant,  had 
specific  information  of  the  merits  of  the  case. 

Tommy,  who  was  an  unusually  sharp  specimen  of  his  class, 
kindly  offered  to  take  care  of  the  Captain's  watch,  which  he 
had  always  greatly  admired.  Just  before  the  Big  Bethel 
fight,  perhaps- — we  will  not  say  for  certain — it  entered  into 
his  head  that  possibly  he  might  fall  heir  to  it.  One  day  the 
Captain  threatened  to  strike  him  for  some  misdemeanor, 
when  he  looked  at  him  very  innocently,  and  said,  "  Massa, 
you  told  me  the  other  day  that  all  men  were  brudders." 
"  Yes,"  replied  the  Captain,  "  but  what  if  I  did  ?  "  "  Nuffin," 
replied  Tommy,  "  only  you  wouldn't  strike  your  brudder, 
would  yer  ?  "  His  wit  saved  him  on  that  occasion  at  least. 

The  weather  was  now  very  hot.  Guard  duty  was  assigned 
about  twice  every  week  to  each  man,  and  the  regiments  took 
their  turn  on  picket  duty,  which  the  men  enjoyed.  The 
outpost  was  about  six  miles  from  camp. 

On  the  22d  of  June,  a  part  of  the  regiment  were  occupied 
in  commencing  the  building  of  batteries  near  Hampton, 
which  did  not  indicate  an  early  advance  against  the  enemy. 
This  earthwork  was  the  first  one  thrown  up  in  the  war,  in 
the  path  to  Richmond  on  the  Peninsula.  It  was  the  initiation 
to  the  months  of  labor  subsequently  expended  during 
McClellan's  and  Grant's  campaigns.  The  following  extract 
in  reference  to  it,  from  the  Brooklyn  Daily  Times,  is  of  in- 
terest : 

HAMPTON,  VA.,  June  23,  1861. 

After  the  plans  were  laid  out,  a  squad  of  Duryee's  Zouaves 
came  from  camp  to  help  dig  the  trenches.  The  Zouaves  were 
placed  in  proper  order,  viz. :  Four  men  with  shovels,  forming  a 
square,  and  a  man  in  the  center  with  a  pick.  The  first  shovel- 
ful of  earth  was  dug  by  the  wife  of  Captain  Kilpatrick,  of 
Duryee's  Zouaves,  who  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Big 

4* 


82  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Bethel ;  after  which  the  squad  gave  three  hearty  cheers  by  order 
of  their  Colonel,  and  went  to  work  like  good  fellows.  Colonel 
Duryee's  regiment  are,  without  exception,  the  best  set  of  fighting 
men  stationed  hereabouts. 

The  notes  made  in  the  author's  journal,  for  a  short  period, 
will  give  the  reader  a  pretty  accurate  view  of  our  experi- 
ences and  expectation  while  at  Camp  Hamilton.  They  are 
as  follows  : 

Sunday,  June  23. — There  is  a  rumor  that  the  regiment 
will  be  ordered  to  Washington,  but  little  faith  is  placed  in  it. 
Several  men  were  sworn  into  the  service  yesterday,  but 
there  were  eight  who  refused,  having  had  enough  of  soldier- 
ing during  the  few  days  they  were  here.  Such  fellows  are 
not  wanted  in  the  Fifth,  and  the  sooner  all  that  kind  forsake 
us,  the  better  will  it  be  for  us  and  them. 

The  Home  Defense  Committee  have  sent  two  hundred 
rifles,  and  it  is  said  all  the  regiment  are  to  be  supplied  with 
them. 

At  a  meeting  of  officers,  the  Fifth  was  assigned  to  the 
right  of  the  brigade,  Colonel  Townsend's  3d  New  York 
next  in  line. 

Last  night  was  magnificent — just  such  as  a  soldier  loves. 
The  moon  was  full,  and  it.  was  almost  as  light  as  day.  Per- 
fect silence  prevailed  ;  in  fact,  so  still  was  it,  that  one  could 
hear  the  sentinels  tread  at  a  distance  of  four  hundred  feet, 
and  the  cry  of  '•'All  is  well"  on  the  vessels  of  the  fleet, 
lying  two  miles  away.  It  was  the  time  for  the  sentry  pacing 
his  lonely  beat,  to  commune  with  his  own  soul,  to  think  of 
home  and  friends,  and  all  that  were  dear  to  him,  or  perhaps 
longing  that  some  favorite  and  loved  one  could  be  by  his 
side.  And  yet  to  so  many  these  were  the  enchanted  dreams 
of  the  absent,  none  of  whom  he  ever  saw  again.  Such  a 
night — to  many  a  true  and  reverent  hero  was  the  time  when 
he  could  look  up  to  the  placid  moon  and  the  radiant  stars, 
and  have  his  soul  filled  with  glorious  and  holy  thoughts  of 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  83 

the  world  beyond,  where  the  conflict  of  earth  would  at 
length  be  ended,  and  he  should  wear  the  conqueror's  crown 
forever. 

Thursday,  June  27. — Regiment  has  been  on  picket  about 
two  miles  from  camp,  in  the  woods,  the  reserve  being  sta- 
tioned on  a  road.  They  constructed  beautiful  little  huts  with 
rails  from  the  fences,  and  small  trees  and  boughs,  which  formed 
very  picturesque  residences,  and  were  hardly  distinguishable 
from  the  forest  surroundings.  The  round  extended  about 
one  and  a  half  miles  in  a  thick  forest  of  pine  and  oak.  All 
was  quiet'except  the  different  notes  of  the  winged  songsters, 
or  the  dropping  of  some  small  twig,  which  was  duly  noticed, 
the  possibility  that  some  lurking  enemy  might  be  near  com- 
pelling constant  vigilance.  Above  our  embowered  huts,  rose 
the  giant  pines,  some  of  them  eighty  or  ninety  feet  in  height. 
The  men  were  on  post  four  hours,  and  eight  off. 

When  night  came  on  it  was  somewhat  dreary,  but  relieved 
by  the  mosquitoes,  which  were  truly  formidable.  They 
swarmed  in  black  clouds  everywhere,  and  one  of  the  boys 
that  missed  his  fez  cap  in  the  morning,  swore  that  the 
mosquitoes  had  taken  it  off,  so  that  they  could  have  more 
room  to  bite. 

Friday,  June  28. — Last  night  another  of  our  Virginia  tor- 
rents visited  the  camp,  and  flooded  all  the  tents  as  usual,  in 
some  places  the  water  being  a  foot  deep. 

Sunday,  June  30. — A  damp,  disagreeable  day ;  regiment 
again  on  picket  duty  ;  and  Private  Rouse,  of  Company  G, 
accidentally  shot  himself  through  the  hand.  We  lead  a  very 
active  life,  as  we  have  done  ever  since  the  regiment  was 
first  organized,  and  have  little  time  to  ourselves.  It  is  com- 
pany, regimental,  or  brigade  drills,  inspections,  dress  parades, 
reviews,  ditching,  policeing  camp,  picket  and  camp  guard. 
Beside  these  activities,  which  keep  our  blood  from  stagnat- 
ing, we  have  some  howitzers  and  a  brass  piece,  which  we 
have  been  taught  to  handle,  to  which  must  be  added  the 


84          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

washing  and  mending  of  our  clothes,  and  keeping  our  arms 
and  equipments  free  from  rust  and  tarnish.  All  these  duties 
leave  little  time  to  play,  but  it  is  schooling  a  body  of  hardy, 
reliable,  well-informed  men,  the  stuff  that  veterans  are  made 
of,  into  what  will  be  the  best-drilled  and  most  perfectly  dis- 
ciplined volunteer  corps  in  the  service. 

It  is  astonishing  how  so  many  men  can  live  in  such  a  small 
space.  The  tents  are  about  eight  by  ten  feet ;  yet  in  these 
eight  or  nine  men  sleep,  in  addition  to  the  stowing  of  knap- 
sacks, haversacks,  canteens,  and  accoutrements,  with  accom- 
modations for  an  occasional  visitor.  Two  Companies,  I  and 
E,  have  been  presented  with  Sharp's  rifles  and  sabre  bayonet, 
but  they  will  be  obliged  to  do  most  of  the  skirmishing. 
Yesterday  the  regiment  was  inspected  by  a  United  States 
officer,  and  mustered  in  for  two  months'  pay. 

Wednesday,  July  3. — All  quiet,  and  we  see  and  hear 
nothing  of  the  enemy  ;  details  of  men  are  building  batteries 
beyond  Hampton,  and  near  the  Ladies'  Seminary  on  the 
banks  of  James  River.  To-day  another  regiment  left  for 
Newport  News,  leaving  only  four  here,  beside  the  garrison 
at  the  fort.  To-morrow  being  the  anniversary  of  our  Inde- 
pendence, we  would  like  to  have  a  holiday,  but  there  is  no 
such  thing  in  the  code  ;  in  fact,  we  would  hardly  know  when 
Sunday  comes  around,  were  it  not  from  the  inspection  in  the 
forenoon  instead  of  a  drill,  and  a  dose  of  the  Articles  of  War, 
which  are  read  with  due  solemnity.  The  officers  are  more 
exacting  every  day,  and  the  discipline  is  getting  the  men 
down  to  a  "  fine  point." 

Last  night  a  large  comet  was  in  view.  Toward  morning 
it  stretched  half-way  over  the  heavens.  The  men  hope  it  is 
a  harbinger  of  success  to  our  cause.  Just  as  the  Sergeants 
were  calling  the  roll,  a  bright  light  was  seen  on  the  bay,  which 
proved  to  be  the  illumination  from  the  steamboat  Cataline, 
which  was  burned  to  the  water's  edge. 

A  little  incident  will  serve  to  show  the  dry  humor  of  the 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  85 

Adjutant,  from  which  may  also  be  inferred  some  of  the  rea- 
sons why  he  is  so  well  liked  by  the  men.  On  an  extremely 
warm  day,  the  mercury  being  above  the  nineties,  and  the 
sun's  rays  fiercely  hot,  the  writer  was  guarding  some  prisoners 
who  were  clearing  up  the  ground  about  the  Adjutant's 
quarters.  Suddenly  he  heard  a  manly  voice  call  out,  "Young 
man,  with  auburn  hair  !  come  hither  !  "  My  head-gear  not 
answering  that  description,  I  naturally  looked  at  the  prison- 
ers to  see  if  any  of  them  had  auburn  hair,  but  not  being  able 
to  discover  any  one,  I  turned  in  the  direction  whence  the 
voice  came,  and  saw  the  giant  form  of  the  Adjutant  standing 
at  the  doorway  of  his  tent.  He  was  looking  directly  at  me, 
and  also  motioning  with  his  hand ;  seeing  that  he  had  at- 
tracted my  attention,  he  gave  the  order,  "  Shoulder  arms ! 
March  ! "  which  I  did,  wondering  what  it  all  meant.  "  Right 
oblique !  Halt ! "  and  I  found  myself  under  the  grateful 
shade  of  a  large  tree.  Now,  sentry,"  said  he,  "  your  orders 
are  to  stay  under  that  tree,  and  watch  these  prisoners,  and 
mind  you  that  my  orders  are  strictly  obeyed,"  and  imme- 
diately vanished  into  his  tent. 

Thursday,  July  4. — Reveille  just  before  sunrise,  and  a  sa- 
lute of  thirty-four  guns  from  the  brass  pieces  in  honor  of  the 
day.  Three  bunches  of  fire-crackers  were  set  off,  with  all  due 
ceremony,  by  one  of  the  men.  Being  Independence  Day,  the 
powers  that  be  had  the  independence  to  order  the  regiment 
out  on  picket,  and  they  went.  The  men  were  called  up 
every  fifteen  minutes  after  midnight,  an  attack  being  ex- 
pected. They  fell  in  with  their  rifles,  the  roll  was  called, 
when  they  turned  in  again,  being  consequently  cheated  out 
of  their  sleep,  which  occasioned  some  quiet  grumbling. 

Friday,  July  5. — This  morning  we  were  relieved  from 
picket  duty  and  marched  back  to  camp.  In  the  afternoon  the 
whole  brigade,  including  Col.  Baker's  California  regiment, 
which  arrived  yesterday,  was  reviewed  by  Secretary  of  War 
Cameron,  Adj't-Gen.  Thomas,  and  Gen.  Butler  and  staff. 


86  Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Professor  Bartlett,  of  West  Point,  father  of  Capt.  Bartlett,  of 
Co.  I,  5th  New  York,  was  present. 

On  returning  to  camp,  it  was  nightfall,  and  the  postponed 
celebration  of  the  Fourth  commenced  with  an  illumination 
of  the  company  streets,  by  placing  bits  of  candles  and  pine- 
knots  in  the  trees  transplanted  from  the  woods  and  set  out 
in  front  of  the  tents.  This  made  it  look  like  a  fairy  scene. 
And  now  and  then  the  distant  shouts  of  the  men — for  the 
camp  extends  about  500  feet — announced  that  everybody 
was  participating  in  the  enjoyment  except  the  solitary  senti- 
nels, who  were  pacing  their  lonely  beats.  On  the  color-line 
a  fine  display  of  fireworks,  contributed  by  the  munificence 
of  the  officers,  fizzed  away  for  an  hour  and  added  to  the  ef- 
fect of  the  scene.  At  the  head  of  each  company  street,  im- 
mense bonfires  were  built,  around  which  the  "  red  devils  " 
danced,  sung,  and  yelled  like  so  many  Comanche  Indians, 
and  in  their  red  breeches,  looked,  in  fact,  like  so  many  red 
devils  in  Pandemonium.  But  it  was  all  the  exuberance  of 
pure  animal  spirit,  for  not  a  drop  of  liquor  was  tasted,  nor 
could  it  be  had  if  desired.  The  different  companies  vied 
with  each  other  in  getting  up  the  greatest  and  tallest  blaze, 
and  the  most  indefatigable  exertions  were  made  in  the  way 
of  supplying  fuel  to  attain  this  object.  The  palm  of  victory 
was  finally  awarded  to  Company  G,  many  members  of 
which  were  of  the  New  York  Volunteer  Fire  Department, 
who  thus  showed  that  they  knew  how  to  make  "  a  big  blaze," 
as  well  as  to  put  one  out.  The  scene  defies  description  ; 
the  victors  were  joined  by  men  from  other  companies  in  their 
dance  of  triumph  around  the  huge  burning  pile,  and  such 
was  the  wild  enthusiasm  that  if  any  of  the  celebrated  Indian 
chiefs,  from  Osceola  to  the  famous  Sitting  Bull  himself,  had 
been  present,  they  would  have  dropped  their  dignity  and  joined 
in  the  excitement.  It  was  a  scene  long  to  be  remembered  by 
those  who  shared  in  the  festivities.  Taps  were  delayed  one 
hour,  in  order  that  the  men  might  prolong  their  enjoyment. 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  87 

Later  in  the  night  the  officers  had  their  own  carnival. 
Three  of  the  largest  tents  in  camp  were  joined  together,  to 
form  one  marquee,  in  which  were  assembled  the  officers  of 
the  regiment,  at  the  invitation  of  Col.  Duryee,  and  as  in- 
vited guests,  Col.  Townsend,  of  the  3d  New  York,  and 
others.  Speeches  and  toasts  were  in  order,  and  Col.  Duryde, 
Adjt.  Hamblin,  Capt.  Hull,  and  other  orators  were  heard 
from.  Capts.  Catlin,  Cooper,  and  Smith,  of  the  Third,  made 
humorous  and  patriotic  speeches.  The  music,  which  was 
supplied  by  the  band  of  the  3d  New  York,  added  to  the 
pleasure  of  the  occasion.  A  bountiful  collation  was  pro- 
vided, and  the  festivities  were  prolonged  until  near  morning. 
It  lacked  only  one  feature  that  would  have  completed  the 
charm  of  the  occasion — the  presence  of  some  of  the  far-dis- 
tant women  who  were  dreaming  of  us  at  home. 

Saturday,  July  20. — The  Mechanics'  and  Traders'  Fire  In- 
surance Company  have  presented  to  Capt.  Denike,  of  Co. 
G,  $100,  to  be  distributed  among  the  men  of  his  company, 
or  for  the  purchase  of  any  articles  they  might  desire.  A 
number  of  the  men  are  obtaining  their  discharges  on  ac- 
count of  sickness,  wounds,  etc.,  camp  life  beginning  to  tell 
already,  even  on  comparatively  strong  constitutions.  Capt. 
Kilpatrick  arrived  to-day  with  a  hundred  new  recruits,  who 
look  like  a  good  body  of  men,  although  pale  and  sickly, 
alongside  of  those  who  are  bronzed  by  service  and  ex- 
posure. The  ladies  of  New  York  have  kindly  sent  a  supply 
of  Havelocks  for  the  whole  regiment,  which  reminds  the 
men  that,  although  far  away,  they  are  not  forgotten  by  the 
fair  ones  at  home. 

Col.  Duryde,  being  Acting  Brigadier  and  in  command  of 
this  camp,  the  duty  of  drilling  the  battalion  has  devolved 
upon  Lieut.-Col.  Warren,  who  handles  the  regiment  in  a 
scientific  manner.  In  field  maneuvers  the  men  are  taught 
movements  and  tactics  they  never  dreamed  of  before,  and 
were  never  performed  by  the  militia  at  home.  He  is  very 


88  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

rigid  with  the  officers,  and  requires  them  to  know  their 
duties  thoroughly,  and  make  no  mistakes.  The  non-com- 
missioned officers  are  also  obliged  to  learn  a  lesson  every 
day,  and  appear  before  Capt.  Kilpatrick  and  recite  it. 

The  regiment  was  reviewed  on  Monday  by  Mr.  Russell, 
the  famous  war  correspondent  of  the  London  Times.  The 
regiment  has  received  a  beautiful  stand  of  colors,  which  was 
the  gift  of  some  admiring  ladies  of  New  York.  The  follow- 
ing account  is  from  one  of  the  New  York  journals  : 

PRESENTATION  OF  A  STAND  OF  COLORS  TO  COLONEL 
DURYEE'S  ZOUAVES. 

"A  beautiful  stand  of  colors  was  presented  on  Tuesday,  July  16, 
1861,  at  Clinton  Hall,  to  the  Fifth  Regiment,  New  York  State 
Volunteers,  commonly  known  as  Col.  Duryee's  Zouaves. 

"  The  Colonel  being  now  stationed  at  Fortress  Monroe,  the  flag 
was  received  by  about  100  Zouaves  recently  recruited,  who  are 
about  to  join  the  regiment,  and  will  have  the  distinction  of  present- 
ing it  to  their  commanding  officer.  The  flag  is  a  very  handsome 
American  ensign,  of  the  regulation  size  and  pattern,  but  distin- 
guished by  a  scroll  over  the  stars  bearing  the  inscription,  'Above 
us  or  around  us.'  In  lieu  of  the  ordinary  spear  or  eagle,  the  staff 
was  surmounted  with  a  fez  surrounded  by  two  folds  of  a  turban 
(the  regular  head-dress  of  the  Zouave),  the  latter  in  silver.  The 
streamers  (red  and  blue)  were  also  inscribed  with  characteristic 
mottoes — the  one,  'Fidele  a  Poutrance ' — the  other,  from  the  song 
of  the  Zouave,  'Us  possedent  une  baguette  magique'  The  white 
streamer  bore  the  inscription,  '  Presented  to  the  Fifth  Regiment, 
New  York  State  Volunteers,  through  Company  H,  July  16, 
1861.'  The  flag  was  presented  on  the  part  of  the  ladies  by  Mr. 
Pyne,  who  alluded  in  a  short  address  to  the  outrages  our  flag 
had  sustained  in  the  Southern  seceding  States,  and  the  possibility 
that  it  might  be  the  privilege  of  the  Zouaves  to  redress  them. 
Capt.  Kilpatrick  received  the  flag  on  the  part  of  Company  H, 
and  subsequently  presented  it  to  Major  Davies,  as  the  represen- 
tative of  the  regiment.  '  The  Star  Spangled  Banner  '  was  then 
performed  by  the  band,  and  the  flag  marched  out  into  Astor 


Life  at  Camp  Hamilton.  89 

Place,  where  the  company  awaited  the  appearance  of  the  ladies, 
and  lowered  the  flag  as  they  passed,  by  way  of  salute." 

It  is  comparatively  quiet  in  camp,  but  the  men  are  not 
idle,  being  kept  constantly  employed  at  something  when  not 
on  picket,  camp  guard,  or  drilling.  They  have  much  im- 
proved the  appearance  and  comfort  of  the  camp ;  have  dug 
down  the  spaces  between  the  rows  of  tents,  or  company 
streets,  to  about  a  foot  in  depth,  and  rounded  and  graded 
them  off,  cutting  ditches  on  each  side,  which  leave  the  tents 
on  an  elevation,  so  that  when  the  heavy  rains  occur,  they 
are  not  flooded  as  formerly.  The  company  streets  are  kept 
scrupulously  clean,  it  being  one  of  the  first  duties  in  the 
morning  for  a  detail  of  men  to  sweep  them  thoroughly,  with 
brooms  improvised  from  branches  of  trees.  Capt.  Denike 
is  sick.  The  men  hope  that  he  will  not  be  obliged  to  leave 
them,  as  he  is  one  of  the  most  patriotic  officers  in  the  regi- 
ment. The  men  lately  have  had  some  furious  night  skir- 
mishes, and  lost  much  blood,  not,  however,  in  fighting  a 
human  enemy,  but  (what  is  worse)  in  combating  mosquitoes. 
It  was  reported  the  other  night  that  they  had  carried  off  one 
of  the  men  on  guard,  as  he  was  not  found  for  some  time  aft- 
erward. A  search  was  made  for  him,  expecting  to  find  his 
bones  clean  picked,  and  his  fez  cap  which  they  wanted  to 
send  home  as  a  memento  to  his  mother ;  but  the  lost  was 
found  at  last,  with  his  head  in  his  haversack  and  a  tremend- 
ous branch  of  a  tree  in  each  hand,  belaying  right  and  left,  as 
if  he  was  thrashing  wheat. 

Tuesday,  July  23. — An  important  movement,  which  was 
expected  to  have  been  made  by  all  the  troops  here,  has  been 
prevented  by  the  news  of  the  disastrous  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

Thursday,  July  25. — The  regiment  ordered  to  be  ready  to 
move  in  heavy  marching  order,  and  the  men  all  very  anxious 
to  know  their  destination,  with  all  kinds  of  rumors  floating 
about  camp.  But  this  uncertainty  was  solved  by  the  orders 


90          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

on  the  26th  to  march  to  the  Government  wharf  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  and  embark  on  board  of  the  steamer  Adelaide  for 
Baltimore,  which  was  accomplished  by  11.30  P.M. 

Thus  ended  the  first  campaign  of  the  Fifth  in  Virginia. 

To  sum  up  :  If  their  sojourn  there  has  not  resulted  in  any 
brilliant  success  of  arms  to  the  Union  cause,  it  has  been  of 
vast  benefit  in  hardening,  disciplining,  and  bringing  the  regi- 
ment up  to  such  an  efficient  standard  as  to  fit  it  eventually 
for  greater  and  sterner  trials. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

LIFE    AT     BALTIMORE. 

ARRIVAL  AT  BALTIMORE— CAMP  AT  FEDERAL  HILL— ZOUAVES  AT  LARGE— PENAL- 
TIES FOR  PASTIMES — MAKING  A  CAMP — VISITORS — A  BALTIMORE  JOURNAL 
SPEAKS — RUNNING  GUARD — JOE  KNOTT — CHANGES  IN  THE  REGIMENT — A  RE- 
VOLT SUBDUED — THE  GUARD-HOUSE  AND  ITS  ADVENTURES — AN  ILLUMINA- 
TION—A CHARGE— FORT-BUILDING—REBEL  RECRUITS  DISAPPOINTED— OUR 
BATHING  GROUND — THE  BATTLE  AT  THE  PUMP — CAMP  BALLADS  OF  THE  FIFTH 
— COLONEL  DURYEE  PROMOTED — AN  UNSUCCESSFUL  TRIP— CHANGES  IN  THE 
REGIMENT — PROGRESS  OF  THE  FORT— How  THt  DAYS  WERE  SPENT — CAPTAIN 
HAMBLIN'S  DEPARTURE — REGIMENTAL  DOGS — A  LOYAL  NEWFOUNDLAND — 
ZOUAVE  SONG  BY  A  DRUMMER  BOY — MAGGIE  MITCHEL — BLOWING  OUT  THE 
LIGHTS — A  DRUM-MAJOR'S  JOKE — AN  EXPEDITION — BUILDING  THE  BARRACKS 
— THANKSGIVING  DAY — AN  ELOPEMENT. 

WE  arrived  at  Baltimore  about  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
of  Saturday,  the  27th  day  of  July,  after  a  very  pleasant  sail 
up  Chesapeake  Bay,  without  anything  of  note  occurring  on 
the  trip. 

We  marched  through  the  streets  under  the  wondering  gaze 
of  the  citizens.  It  was  evidently  a  novel  sight,  for  the  uni- 
forms of  the  men  were  unlike  anything  they  had  ever  before 
seen,  and  were  stained  and  torn,  from  their  previous  camp 
life  and  service  in  the  field.  The  regiment  finally  halted  on 
Federal  Hill,  a  commanding  position  within  the  suburbs  of 
the  city,  and  near  the  harbor  around  which  the  city  is  built. 
It  completely  commanded  the  city  and  vicinity,  while  the 
country  beyond  could  be  seen  for  a  great  distance,  and  the 
Peninsula  on  which  Fort  McHenry  raises  its  time-honored 
walls  was  in  plain  sight.  We  could  well  understand  from 
our  position  the  emotions  of  the  author  of  the  "  Star  Span- 
gled Banner,"  when  he  saw  the  old  flag  floating  from  its  walls, 
after  the  fearful  bombardment  of  the  preceding  night. 

In  fact,  with  artillery  posted  here,  Baltimore  itself  could 
be  laid  in  ashes,  should  occasion  require  it.  It  is  almost 


92  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

inaccessible  on  two  of  its  sides,  and  the  exposed  part  could 
be  easily  defended  by  a  body  of  determined  men. 

On  the  second  day  after  our  arrival,  four  companies  were 
ordered  to  march  to  the  New  York  and  Philadelphia  Depot 
to  quell  a  riot.  The  mob  dispersed  before  they  arrived  on 
the  ground,  having  been  informed  of  their  approach. 

The  men  were  immediately  employed  in  getting  every- 
thing in  order  about  the  camp.  It  was  at  first  supposed 
that  we  should  make  a  halt  of  only  a  few  days,  and  then  pro- 
ceed to  Washington  and  report  to  General  McClellan.  But 
we  were  disappointed,  for  when  the  Colonel  reported  to 
General  Dix,  who  had  command  of  the  district,  he  was 
ordered  to  encamp  the  regiment  at  this  place,  and  remain 
until  further  orders  ;  and,  from  all  that  was  apparent  to  us,  it 
looked  as  if  we  should  remain  for  some  time.  The  weather 
was  extremely  warm ;  there  were  neither  trees  nor  any  other 
shelter  from  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun,  except  the  slight 
protection  of  the  tents.  We  felt  it  oppressively,  but  at 
times  a  refreshing  sea  breeze  afforded  great  relief.  Passes 
were  given  occasionally,  so  that  men  could  visit  the  city, 
but  only  for  two  hours ;  and  the  men  looked  so  shabby, 
some  of  their  uniforms  being  almost  worthless,  they  were 
ashamed  to  make  their  appearance  in  a  civilized  community. 

The  first  night  of  our  arrival  some  of  the  men  rushed  for 
the  city,  before  a  guard  could  be  established.  They  were 
not  only  anxious  to  see  the  city  itself,  but  to  have  a  little 
unbending  from  the  seclusion  and  rigidity  of  camp  life. 
Some  of  them  soon  found  they  were  in  "  secesh  "  districts, 
and  made  themselves  masters  of  the  situation.  They  would 
not  allow  anybody  to  walk  on  the  sidewalks  except  them- 
selves. The  citizens  either  had  to  turn  back,  take  the  mid- 
dle of  the  street,  or  be  knocked  down,  and  they  cleaned  out 
one  or  two  bar-rooms  kept  by  bitter  secessionists.  One 
of  them  got  into  a  famous  secession  hotel,  mounted  a  table, 
and  gave  vent  to  his  Union  sentiments  in  a  speech.  We 


Life  at  Baltimore.  93 

wondered  he  was  not  shot.  Some  came  back  in  the  morn- 
ing and  were  put  in  the  guard-house  ;  others  stayed  away 
for  two  or  three  days,  were  arrested,  put  in  the  guard-house, 
broke  out  again,  and  were  away,  and  for  a  few  days  the 
camp  was  greaily  demoralized ;  but  soon  all  was  quiet 
again,  and  the  men  were  kept  as  close  as  if  they  were  pris- 
oners of  war.  Some  were  employed  at  hard  labor,  digging 
and  making  streets  in  the  hot  sun,  and  some  of  the  most 
refractory  were  tied  up  for  eight  hours  at  a  time,  bound 
hand  and  foot,  and  suffered  various  punishments. 

In  a  short  time  the  regiment  completed  a  fine-looking  camp. 
At  the  head  of  each  company  street,  they  worked  out  of  sod 
and  clay  of  different  colors  the  Goddess  of  Liberty,  spread 
eagles,  flags,  etc.,  which  had  a  very  fine  effect,  and  were 
much  admired  by  the  many  visitors  who  daily  came  to  in- 
spect our  camp.  Our  evening  parades  were  usually  witness- 
ed by  large  numbers  of  citizens.  One  of  the  Baltimore  pa- 
pers spoke  as  follows  : 

"  THE  EVENING  PARADE  OF  THE  DURYEE  ZOUAVES.— There 
were  not  less  than  2,000  ladies  and  gentlemen  present  on  Satur- 
day afternoon  to  witness  the  usual  parade  and  drill  of  Colonel 
Duryee's  Zouave  regiment.  The  regiment  drilled  on  Warren 
and  other  streets,  and  judging  from  the  movements  of  the  soldiers, 
they  have  paid  strict  attention  to  the  lessons  given  them  by  their 
instructors.  The  drilling,  as  far  as  we  could  judge,  was  equal, 
if  not  superior,  to  any  regiment  which  has  pitched  their  tents 
near  the  city.  The  drilling  for  quelling  riots  was  superb,  and 
woe  be  to  the  seceshers,  if  they  dare  attempt  another  Pratt  Street 
affair.  Col.  Duryee  may  well  be  proud  of  his  gallant  boys. 

"  In  a  few  days  the  soldiers  will  be  supplied  with  new  uniforms, 
and  it  would  be  a  great  treat  for  our  citizens  to  see  the  Zoo-Zoos 
making1  a  full-dress  parade  through  our  streets.  The  masses  then 
could  see  if  we  have  been  right  or  wrong  in  our  conjectures  con- 
cerning the  efficiency  of  the  Zouaves. 

"  We  noticed,  on  Saturday  last,  that  the  Chaplain  of  the  regi- 
ment, Rev.  Dr.  Winslow,  was  riding  a  splendid  charger.  We 


94  Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

were  informed  that  the  animal  was  captured  by  four  of  the 
Zouaves  while  at  Fortress  Monroe.  The  Zouaves  had  been  out 
on  a  private  scout,  and  observing  a  rebel  Captain  seated  upon  the 
charger,  the  Zoo-Zoos  surrounded  him  and  made  prisoners  of 
both." 

The  Zouaves  soon  became  great  favorites  with  the  ladies, 
who  found  that  the  majority  could  conduct  themselves  with 
as  much  propriety  as  other  gentlemen,  anywhere  ;  and  it  was 
a  common  sight  to  see  a  well-dressed  lady  escorted  through 
the  camp  by  a  Zouave,  and  conversing  as  if  they  had  been 
old  acquaintances. 

It  was  a  common  remark,  that  every  woman  who  came 
into  camp  was  perfectly  beautiful ;  but  whether  or  no  this 
be  true,  they  must  have  appeared  to  be,  for  after  seeing  noth- 
ing but  "  colored  ladies"  for  two  months,  the  contrast  was  the 
more  apparent.  The  officers  were  also  becoming  great  fa- 
vorites, and  their  acquaintance  was  rapidly  extended  among 
the  best  society  in  the  city. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  cause,  a  few  weeks  served 
to  develop  a  great  deal  of  dissatisfaction  in  the  regiment. 
The  discipline  was  rigid  in  camp,  while  outside  of  it  lay  a 
great  city,  with  all  its  attractions  and  temptations,  and  the 
young  men  were  free  from  the  restraining  presence  of  par- 
ents or  relatives,  or  any  one  whose  influence  would  be  sen- 
sibly recognized,  and  it  need  not  be  a  matter  of  surprise  that 
some  among  them  could  not  resist  the  opportunity  to  mingle 
in  the  social  life  of  the  city,  even  though  they  run  the  guard,  or 
set  authority  at  defiance.  They  liked  the  excitement,  and  the 
greater  the  risk,  the  greater  became  the  incentive  to  outwit 
the  guard  and  its  officers.  Sometimes  men  went  out  in  a 
blinding  storm  of  rain,  and  came  in  again,  running  the  equal 
risk  of  capture  in  getting  in  as  of  going  out,  just  for  the  ad- 
venture. The  officers  exercised  all  their  ingenuity  to  keep 
the  men  within  the  lines,  but  notwithstanding  a  strong  guard 
of  one  hundred  men,  on  duty  night  and  day,  besides  the 


Life  at  Baltimore.  95 

provost  guard,  who  patrolled  the  city,  perhaps  thirty  or  forty 
men  would  steal  out  at  night  after  taps,  and  slip  into  camp 
again  in  the  morning  before  reveille.  By  this  course,  as  they 
did  not  miss  a  roll  call,  they  escaped  punishment,  and  no- 
body was  the  wiser.  But  the  number  of  habitual  guard-run- 
ners was  comparatively  few,  compared  to  the  whole  number 
of  men  in  the  regiment.  Of  course  all  did  not  succeed  with- 
out detection,  and  when  any  were  discovered  and  arrested, 
their  punishment  was  not  light.  Even  the  risk  of  being  shot 
as  a  penalty  did  not  seem  to  deter  any  of  them  when  they 
had  decided  to  go.  The  officers  endeavored  to  discover 
where  the  weak  places  were  by  disguising  themselves  as  pri- 
vates ;  but  the  plan  failed,  for  they  were  received  with  the 
most  energetic  and  decisive  challenge,  by  the  innocent  sen- 
tries. They  hid  themselves  and  watched  from  obscure  and 
dark  places,  but  they  saw  no  one  prowling  about,  made  no 
captures,  were  not  .enlightened,  and  were  left  at  their  wits' 
ends. 

It  is  all  over  now,  and  having  no  fear  of  the  guard- 
house before  our  eyes,  or  the  contempt  and  execration  of 
comrades,  it  will  do  no  harm  to  explain.  There  was  a  tie 
among  the  men  which  led  them  to  assist  each  other,  and 
stand  together,  in  their  sympathies  and  interests.  There 
were  many  among  them  who  would  as  soon  think  of  cutting 
their  right  arm  off  as  to  run  guard  themselves,  or  to  permit 
anybody  else  to  do  so  while  on  their  beat,  from  a  strict  sense 
of  military  duty.  But  what  transpired  on  the  next  post  was 
none  of  their  concern.  If  one  of  them  was  questioned  by 
an  officer,  he  never  saw  or  knew  anything  that  transpired  on 
his  neighbor's  post.  Very  likely  he  did  not ;  for  if  he  sus- 
pected that  anything  irregular  was  going  on,  he  promptly 
turned  his  back  and  intently  looked  another  way.  Then 
there  were  others,  and  good  men  too,  who,  in  an  enemy's 
country,  were  always  foremost  at  the  post  of  danger;  on 
picket  were  alive  and  alert,  and  all  that  a  good  soldier 


g6          Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

should  be,  who,  in  such  a  camp  as  Federal  Hill,  would 
themselves  run  guard  and  also  connive  in  the  escape  of 
others.  In  extreme  cases,  men  passed  out  at  the  main  sally- 
port of  the  fort,  and  in  plain  view  of  the  officer  of  the  day, 
by  putting  on  a  bold  air,  and  giving  the  Sergeant  at  the  gate- 
way a  slip  of  paper  that  looked  like  a  pass,  which  he  would 
pretend  to  scrutinize  very  closely,  and  then  let  him  pass 
out.  This,  however,  as  I  have  said,  was  an  extreme  case. 
But  to  describe  all  the  devices  to  get  out  of  camp,  which 
were  many,  would  overtax  the  interest  of  the  reader. 

The  men  knew  who  they  could  trust,  and  some,  who  were 
a  burden  to  the  regiment,  would  be  favored  in  their  efforts 
by  only  a  few.  These  generally  took  rough  chances  to  get 
out,  and  sometimes  made  a  bold  rush  for  their  liberty,  trust- 
ing to  their  fleetness  of  foot,  and  running  the  risk  of  being 
fired  at  by  a  sentry.  In  all  the  guard-running  during  the 
protracted  stay  of  the  regiment  in  Camp  Federal  Hill  and 
Fort  Marshall,  there  was  but  one  case  in  which  a  man  was 
mean  enough  to  betray  a  confederate.  Out  of  all  that  suf- 
fered martyrdom  in  the  guard-house,  ball  and  chain,  loss  of 
pay,  etc.,  by  court-martial,  only  one  proved  treacherous  to 
his  comrades,  and  for  the  same  offense  he  was  himself 
thrust  into  confinement  with  ball  and  chain  for  thirty  days. 
When  he  was  released,  he  was  shunned  by  all,  and  his  life 
became  so  burdensome  that  he  was  actually  driven  to  deser- 
tion. Above  all  things,  soldiers  despise  a  mean  action  among 
comrades.  A  regiment  of  men  is  like  a  large  family — their 
interests  are  the  same  ;  they  rely  each  one  on  the  honor  of 
the  other  for  effectiveness  and  mutual  protection ;  their 
obligations  are  reciprocal,  and  the  tie  is  therefore  very  strong 
between  them.  They  have  no  bolts  and  bars  to  lock  up 
their  slender  effects  ;  and  when  one  happens  to  have  a 
larger  share  of  worldly  goods"  than  another,  he  cheerfully 
shares  it  with  his  messmates  or  anybody  else  who  needs  his 
help.  They  all  know  the  penalties  of  infringing  a  military 


Life  at  Baltimore.  97 

rule,  and  when  they  break  one,  do  so  with  their  eyes  open, 
and,  if  caught,  are  satisfied  to  suffer  the  penalty  ;  but  they 
hate  to  be  betrayed  by  one  of  their  own  number. 

Who  that  was  in  Fort  Federal  Hill  does  not  remember 
Joe  Knott  ?  He  was  on  one  .of  the  favorite  guard-running 
points  one  night  when  the  officer  of  the  guard  was  startled 
by  hearing  a  shot,  followed  by  a  loud  call  for  the  Corporal 
of  the  Guard,  No.  — .  The  officer,  Sergeant,  and  all  that 
could  be  spared  rushed  frantically  to  Joe's  post,  when  they 
were  accosted  with,  "  There  they  go  !  over  in  the  ship- 
yard \ "  Down  the  declivity  rushed  the  officer,  sword  in 
hand,  followed  by  his  men.  They  procured  a  lantern,  and 
hunted  and  searched,  but  found  no  one.  The  truth  of  the 
matter  was  that  Joe  had  let  out  about  a  dozen  some  ten 
minutes  previously,  when  it  occurred  to  him  that  he  would 
have  a  sensation..  He  accordingly  fired  off  his  piece  in  the 
air  and  thus  raised  the  alarm.  He  told  the  officer  that  while 
his  back  was  toward  camp,  two  men  rushed  by  him  like 
lightning,  and  he  fired  at  them,  and  thought  that  he  must 
have  hit  one  of  them,  because  he  heard  a  voice  cry  out, 
"  Oh  !  "  The  result  of  this  vigilance  on  the  part  of  Joe  was 
different  from  what  he  expected ;  for  after  that,  until  he  was 
laid  up  in  the  hospital,  nobody  could  have  that  post,  when 
he  was  on  guard,  but  the  faithful  Joe. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  that  there  was  an  under- 
tone of  dissatisfaction  among  the  men,  kept  up  by  certain 
turbulent  spirits,  such  as  abound  in  all  organizations,  and  it 
looked  as  if  a  storm  was  coming. 

There  was,  in  the  first  place,  a  slight  misunderstanding 
between  the  two  and  three  years'  men,  and  they  all  wanted 
their  pay,  three  months  or  more  being  due.  Some  of  their 
families  were  suffering  for  the  means  to  live,  their  only  sup- 
port being  taken  from  them.  Moreover,  all  of  the  regi- 
ments lying  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city  had  been  paid 
some  weeks  before,  and  the  men  were  possessed  with  the 
5 


98  Fifth  New    York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

erroneous  idea  that  their  pay  was  kept  back  by  design  of 
their  commanding  officer.  On  the  contrary,  he  was  using 
his  utmost  endeavors  and  influence  with  Gen.  Dix  to  have 
the  men  paid.  The  great  majority  of  the  men  were  anxious 
to  get  hold  of  it  in  order  to  spend  it  while  in  the  city.  Some 
of  the  Captains  and  Lieutenants  had  been  promoted  to 
higher  grades  in  other  regiments.  Capt.  Bartlett  received 
an  appointment  in  the  regular  service  ;  Major  J.  M.  Davies, 
the  Colonelcy  of  the  2d  New  York  Cavalry ;  Capt.  Kil- 
patrick,  Lieut. -Colonel ;  Capt.  H.  E.  Davies,  Jr.,  Major  in 
the  same,  and  Capt.  Swartwout  had  been  appointed  ist 
Lieutenant  in  the  i;th  U.  S.  Infantry.  Of  course  they  left, 
being  all  first-class  officers,  and  consequently  ths  regiment 
was  not  in  the  best  state  of  organization  at  the  time.  The 
uneasy  feeling  in  the  regiment  at  last  culminated  in  an  out- 
break, which,  however,  was  as  short-lived  as  it  was  violent. 
The  Captain  of  Co.  E,  (W.),  who  resigned  on  the  pth  inst., 
which  company  was  on  the  left  of  the  line,  made  a  visit  to 
his  old  company.  He  was  somewhat  under  the  influence 
of  liquor,  and  not  on  the  best  of  terms  with  the  Colonel. 
He  made  some  remarks  to  his  old  command,  and  was 
cheered  by  the  men.  The  Colonel  approached  him  and 
ordered  him  out  of  camp.  There  was  a  little  scene,  but  he 
obeyed.  In  the  evening  the  men  began  to  make  a  great 
deal  of  noise.  Suddenly  some  one  cried  out,  "  Clothes, 
money,  or  New  York"  It  had  an  electrical  effect,  and  the 
cry  was  taken  up  along  the  whole  line  throughout  the  camp. 
The  officers  looked  distressed  and  anxious.  The  Colonel 
made  some  remarks,  which  the  men  listened  to  attentively, 
when  the  men  of  Co.  E,  and  some  others,  cried  out,  "  Three 
cheers  for  our  old  Captain,"  and  "Three  groans  for  his 
enemies."  This  made  the  excitement  more  intense.  At 
this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  Adjutant  Hamblin,  who  was 
very  much  beloved  by  the  whole  regiment,  and  had  not  an 
enemy  in  the  ranks,  went  through  the  different  companies, 


Life  at  Baltimore.  99 

and  said  that  the  Paymaster  had  gone  to  New  York  to  get 
his  drafts  cashed,  as  there  were  no  Government  funds  in  Bal- 
timore at  the  present  time  ;  and  that  requisitions  had  been 
made  for  clothing,  all  of  which  they  should  have  as  soon  as 
possible.  He  pointed  to  his  own  uniform,  and  said  that  he 
needed  a  new  one,  but  was  willing  to  wait,  as  he  knew  the 
authorities  were  hard  pressed  with  business,  fitting  out  so 
many  new  regiments.  This  quieted  the  storm,  and  this 
slight  unbending  from  the  customary  martinetism  satisfied 
the  men,  and  they  quietly  dispersed  to  their  respective  quar- 
ters. This  affair  was  one  of  those  sudden  outbursts  that 
will  sometimes  occur,  in  even  the  best  regulated  assem- 
blages ;  it  was  all  on  the  surface,  and  not  the  effect  of  a 
premeditated  design  ;  and  when  the  excitement  had  abated, 
the  men  were  all  heartily  ashamed  that  they  had  allowed 
themselves  to  be  betrayed  into  such  an  exhibition  of  their 
feelings. 

The  next 'day  the  Paymaster  opportunely  arrived,  and 
paid  the  men  up  to  July  ist,  with  the  promise  to  pay  again  on 
September  3d,  or  thereabouts.  We  had  two  drills  daily,  one 
in  the  morning,  company  drill  for  three  hours,  and  a  bat- 
talion drill  in  the  afternoon  with  knapsacks,  which  were 
packed  with  all  our  extra  clothing ;  overcoats,  with  blank- 
ets and  ponchos  rolled ;  after  which  we  marched  for  an 
hour  through  the  streets  of  the  city,  which  were  thronged 
with  people,  who  showed  a  great  deal  of  respect,  either 
through  fear  or  patriotism.  In  some  localities  we  were 
greeted  with  cheers  and  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs. 

Baltimore  was  all  right  as  long  as  the  Zouaves  commanded 
the  Hill.  At  least  this  was  the  theory  of  the  Unionist 
journals.  It  was  divided  into  sections  of  Unionists  and 
Secessionists.  In  the  latter  localities  the  feeling  was  intense 
against  the  Government,  and  even  the  little  children  cried 
out  cheers  for  "Jeff.  Davis"  when  a  soldier  happened  to 
pass  them.  The  ladies  drew  their  skirts  closer  for  fear  of 


ioo        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

being  contaminated,  by  the  mere  touching  of  their  dress  by 
a  Yankee.  In  other  sections,  where  the  people  loved  the 
old  flag,  it  was  seen  flying  everywhere,  and  the  Zouaves 
were  often  invited  into  handsome  residences  and  offered 
refreshment,  and  were  cheered  by  words  of  sympathy  for  the 
Union  cause. 

On  August  1 9th,  the  regiment  had  been  recruited  up  to 
1,046  men,  and  five  of  the  ten  Captains  had  resigned,  which 
made  opportunity  for  promotions.  The  regiment  was  now 
drilled  in  street-firing  almost  daily  by  Col.  Duryee,  who 
had  no  superior  in  these  tactics,  and  the  men  were  very  pro- 
ficient in  the  exercise.  (Col.  Duryee  was  the  author  of 
several  treatises  on  street-fighting.  The  latter  was  adopted  by 
the  New  York  State  Legislature  in  the  fall  of  1857). 

On  Wednesday,  the  2ist  of  August,  the  Fifth  was  reviewed 
and  inspected  by  Gen.  Dix,  and  marched  through  part  of  the 
city  with  him,  presenting  a  fine  and  soldierly  appearance. 
Preparations  were  going  forward  for  building  a  strong  fort  on 
this  hill,  which  would  undoubtedly  serve  to  keep  the  men 
from  demoralization  by  the  ennui  of  camp  life.  But  the 
prime  object  of  erecting  a  strong  work  on  the  hill  was  pru- 
dential, as  it  would  serve  to  overawe  the  secessionists  in  the 
city,  and  prevent  them  from  attempting  an  uprising  in  con- 
junction with  any  attack  that  might  be  made  by  the  enemy, 
if  our  arms  should  meet  with  a  reverse ;  and  also  as  a  de- 
fense to  the  city  itself  in  connection  with  the  other  forts. 

The  officers  are  determined  to  keep  the  men  from  run- 
ning guard — the  military  vice  of  a  city  camp — or  at  least  from 
staying  out  two  or  three  days'  at  a  time.  Handcuffs  and  the 
chain  and  ball  were  resorted  to,  but  the  officers  found  they 
had  an  erratic  set  of  men  to  handle.  But  the  majority  of 
the  guard-runners  proved  to  be  among  the  most  efficient, 
and  amenable  to  discipline  when  in  active  service  in  the 
field.  One  of  them  was  asked  by  the  Colonel,  why  he  ran  the 
guard,  to  which  he  replied  that  he  could  not  resist  the  temp- 


Life  at  Baltimore.  101 

tations  of  the  city  while  they  were  in  plain  view  of  it ;  "  He 
enlisted  to  fight  the  enemy,  and  not  to  be  cooped  up  in  a 
fort." 

The  guard-house  was  a  long,  low  building,  formerly  used 
as  a  bowling-alley.  It  was  situated  on  the  northern  part  of 
the  hill,  or  bluff  rather,  for  on  this  side  it  is  almost  perpen- 
dicular, more  than  one  hundred  feet.  The  other  side  is  the 
parade-ground.  The  entrance  was  on  the  west  end  of  the 
building,  and  there  were  windows  in  the  side  looking  to  the 
parade-ground  and  camp,  which  were  barred  with  thick  tim- 
ber. Sentries  were  also  stationed  along  that  side.  Toward 
the  bluff  there  were  no  openings  in  the  building,  and  con- 
sequently no  sentries.  On  that  side  several  men  escaped 
who  carried  balls  and  chain,  with  the  collusion  of  the  other 
prisoners.  They  knocked  a  hole  in  the  wall  with  the  balls, 
while  the  others  sung  and  talked  loudly,  so  that  the  noise  of 
the  pounding  was  not  heard,  filed  their  irons,  crawled  out, 
and  in  some  way  found  a  path  down  the  steep  bluff. 

The  officer  of  the  guard,  and  the  guard  reserve,  had  their 
quarters  at  the  west  end,  and  the  prisoners  generally  har- 
bored at  the  opposite  extremity,  but  roamed  up  and  down  at 
will,  to  within  a  certain  boundary  at  the. west  end.  One  day 
they  purloined  a  lot  of  candles  that  happened  to  be  too  near 
their  boundary-line.  The  prize  lay  in  a  box  for  the  use  of 
the  guard.  They  were  cut  up  into  halves  and  quarters ;  and 
at  night,  when  the  officer  in  charge  had  gone  to  supper, 
each  prisoner  having  his  post  allotted  to  him,  placed  them  in 
rows  each  side  of  the  long  alley,  and  on  a  given  signal,  when 
they  thought  it  was  about  time  for  the  officer  to  return  from 
supper,  they  were  simultaneously  lighted.  It  is  easy  to 
imagine  the  look  of  astonishment  on  the  officer's  counte- 
nance as  he  entered  and  saw  the  illumination,  while  the  pris- 
oners were  all  sitting  in  a  very  orderly  manner  at  the  other 
end  of  the  building,  singing,  "  Hail  to  the  chief!"  Some- 
times they  sang  so  loudly,  the  Colonel  threatened  to  fire  into 


102         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

them  to  make  them  desist.  On  one  occasion  the  prisoners 
watched  their  opportunity  when  the  guard  was  laying  off> 
except  the  sentry  on  duty  at  the  entrance,  and  at  the  order, 
"  Charge"  all  rushed  yelling  down  the  alley,  as  if  to  force 
their  way  out.  The  guard  jumped  up  in  a  hurry,  seized 
their  muskets,  and  charged  bayonets,  when  their  leader 
called  out,  "Retreat"  and  the  reprobates  scampered  back 
to  their  quarters. 

We  had  one  man  who  defied  all  restraint  when  he  wanted 
to  go.  The  boys  gave  him  the  name  of  "Jack  Sheppard." 
The  last  time  he  escaped,  he  was  ornamented  with  bracelets 
to  the  extent  of  two  pairs  of  handcuffs  ;  a  chain  and  ball 
were  pendant  from  a  leg,  the  chain  being  gracefully  looped 
to  the  handcuffs.  He  told  the  officer  of  the  guard  that  by 
10  o'clock  at  night  he  would  be  free,  a  prediction  which  was 
taken  as  braggadocio.  But  he  kept  his  word — at  the  time 
specified  he  was  gone. 

On  Saturday,  the  24th  of  August,  active  work  was  be- 
gun on  the  works  to  be  built  on  the  hill,  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Col.  Brewerton,  of  the  U.  S.  Engineers,  assisted 
by  Lieut. -Col.  Warren.  Men  were  also  detailed  from  the 
regiment  to  make  drawings  and  profiles. 

Captain  Hiram  Duryea,  with  a  detail  of  forty  men,  had 
been  sent  out  on  duty  on  the  2ist,  and  returned  on  the  24th. 
They  had  been  to  Point  Lookout,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Poto- 
mac, St.  Mary's  County,  where  most  of  the  inhabitants  were 
bitter  secessionists.  It  was  learned  that  under  pretense  of 
having  an  excursion  down  the  bay,  some  of  the  rebel  element 
of  Baltimore  intended  to  carry  down  a  body  of  recruits  for  the 
Confederate  army,  in  the  steamboat  Hugh  Jenkins ;  and  at 
the  same  time  to  deliver  the  steamer  over  to  the  Confeder- 
ates. The  detail  of  the  Fifth  went  aboard  just  before  she 
sailed ;  after  landing  the  passengers  at  Point  Lookout,  she 
steamed  off  the  shore  about  one  and  a  half  miles  and  anchor- 
ed. During  the  night  they  were  approached  by  several  sus- 


Life  at  Baltimore.  103 

picious-looking  boats,  but  they  were  ordered  off;  and  a 
steamer,  supposed  to  be  the  St.  Nicholas,  which  was  seized 
by  the  Confederates  some  time  previously,  came  over  from 
the  Virginia  shore  and  displayed  signal-lights  of  a  suspicious 
character,  but  receiving  no  answer,  put  back.  There  could 
be  no  doubt  that  the  rebel  plans  were  thwarted  in  every  way, 
in  consequence  of  the  presence  of  the  Zouaves  on  board, 
and  the  reinforcement  of  the  Confederate  army  was  post- 
poned. The  Hugh  Jenkins  had  a  large  share  of  patriotic 
interest  taken  in  her  good  management  after  that  date. 

An  agreeable  change  was  made  in  the  entire  police  guard 
regulations  on  the  28th,  by  which  duty  of  the  camp  was  to 
be  performed  by  a  single  company  in  turn,  instead  of  by  de- 
tails from  each,  as  had  previously  been  the  practice. 

Our  regiment  enjoyed  a  great  advantage  in  having  a  very 
convenient  and  attractive  bathing  place,  in  the  Patapsco, 
which  was  the  source  of  much  pleasure  and  delight  to  the 
men.  The  water  was  clear  as  crystal,  flowing  over  a  smooth 
sandy  beach,  and  was  the  scene  of  uproarious  mirth,  as  the 
different  groups,  under  charge  of  non-commissioned  officers, 
disrobed  and  plunged  into  the  waves.  Their  games  and 
races  on  the  beach  were  invigorating,  while  the  physique  of 
many  of  them  reminded  one  of  the  gladiators  of  old.  This 
secluded  spot  was  the  scene  of  many  a  tough  mill  in  the  ring, 
fought  according  to  the  ruJes  of  the  code,  in  a  fair  stand-up 
fight,  to  settle  some  rivalry  or  grudge  that  had  been  engen- 
dered in  camp.  A  pass  was  never  refused  for  such  a  pur- 
pose, but  fighting  about  camp  was  strictly  prohibited. 

On  one  occasion,  however,  Colonel  Warren  permitted  a 
little  brush.  It  happened  in  this  way  :  One  day  as  he  was 
passing  by  the  pump,  he  saw  two  of  the  men  wrangling  as  to 
who  was  entitled  to  fill  his  pail  first,  and  he  stopped  and  told 
them,  if  they  couldn't  agree,  to  put  down  their  pails  and  fight 
it  out.  They  accordingly,  without  any  further  words,  clinched. 
In  the  course  of  the  fight,  the  larger  one  attempted  to  take 


IO4        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

an  unfair  advantage  of  his  opponent,  when  the  Colonel, 
as  umpire,  interfered,  and  put  him  into  the  guard-house. 
Such  little  incidents  tended  to  make  him  popular  with  the 
men,  notwithstanding  the  strict  discipline  he  always  main- 
tained in  the  path  of  duty,  for  as  a  body  they  liked  fair  play. 

While  on  this  subject  the  memorable  battle  between 
" Butch"  Myers  and  H.  may  be  mentioned.  The  former, 
some  of  my  readers  will  remember,  was  not  a  very  heavy  or 
large  man,  was  always  quiet,  a  good  friend,  and  well  liked  ; 
H.  was  considerably  taller  and  heavier,  besides  being  a  pro- 
fessed fighter.  One  day,  by  appointment  with  their  seconds 
and  a  few  friends,  duly  armed  with  passes,  ostensibly  to  take 
a  bath  in  the  Patapsco,  they  sauntered  out  of  camp,  and 
near  the  beach,  in  a  selected  spot,  fought  for  an  hour  and  a 
half,  the  battle  resulting-in  a  victory  for  "  Butch."  His  op- 
ponent had  the  most  science,  but  could  not  conquer  over  the 
indomitable  game  of  "  Butch,"  and  was  obliged  to  throw  up 
the  sponge.  They  were  both  terribly  bruised,  but  the  con- 
queror was  punished  the  most ;  his  features  were  not  recog- 
nizable to  his  most  intimate  associates,  and  he  was  obliged 
to  lay  up  in  "  ordinary  "  for  some  days,  by  permission  of  the 
surgeon. 

These  and  other  similar  incidents  were  only  the  by-play  to 
the  more  earnest  work  of  the  pick  and  shovel,  in  which  the 
men  were  obliged  to  take  their  part  on  the  works  which 
were  being  built.  Each  man's  turn  came  every  three  days  ; 
it  was  hard  work,  as  the  great  majority  were  not  accustomed 
to  it.  The  hours  were  from  7  A.M.  until  a  few  minutes  be- 
fore 6  P.M.,  omitting  the  usual  dinner  hour.  After  the  day's 
work  was  over,  the  men  were  obliged  to  clean  up  and  dress 
for  evening  parade.  The  clay  soil  was  very  hard  and  heavy 
to  dig  in  some  places,  especially  as  there  had  been  consider- 
able rain,  and  the  laboring  forces  were  obliged  to  stand  in 
mud  and  water  ankle  deep.  Nevertheless  they  took  it  good- 
naturedly,  and  considered  it  all  in  the  line  of  duty.  As  the 


Life  at  Baltimore.  105 

different  squads  assembled  to  get  their  implements  of  labor, 
and  before  the  word  "Attention  "  was  given,  they  had  a  great 
deal  of  amusement  among  themselves,  by  giving  absurd 
orders,  such  as,  "  Right  shoulder  shift — Arms  ! "  "  Fix — pick- 
axes !  "  "  Secure — spades  !  "  Others  would  inquire  very 
soberly  what  ground  there  was  for  such  grave  proceedings, 
when  some  one  would  answer,  that  "  it  was  owing  to  fort- 
uitous  circumstances.  When  the  different  squads  passed  each 
other  on  their  way  to  work,  they  would  salute  one  another 
after  the  manner  of  the  New  York  firemen,  with  a  "  Hi — hi — 
hi !  "  The  author  has  been  favored  with  the  following  note 
by  MIRON  WINSLOW,  of  Company  E  : 

"  The  occupation  of  Baltimore  by  the  Federal  troops,  in  the 
years  1861-2,  was  not,  for  the  5th  New  York  at  least,  a  mere  idle 
or  unlaborious  task — a  mere  dwelling  in  barrack  with  no  duties 
but  those  of  drill  parade  and  guard  duty,  as  is  apt  to  be  the 
case  with  soldiers  in  winter  quarters.  The  regiment  from  nearly 
its  first  arrival  was  engaged  in  the  work  of  throwing  up  fortifica- 
tions on  Federal  Hill,  and  it  was  some  months  before  the  soldier 
had  any  rest  from  the,  to  many  of  them,  unaccustomed  task  of 
handling  pick  and  shovel  and  spade  from  morning  till  night  in 
digging  the  trenches,  throwing  up  the  ramparts,  grading  the 
glacis,  forming  the  sally  ports,  the  counterscarps,  the  bastions  of 
that  large  and  well-constructed  fort,  and  mounting  the  heavy 
guns  on  its  barbettes  and  in  its  bastions. 

"  It  was  the  work  thus  performed  by  the  soldiers,  and  the 
natural  spirit  of  disinclination  to  that  kind  of  labor,  which  was 
sometimes  manifested  by  some  of  the  men,  which  led  to  the  com- 
posing of  the  two  following  parodies  for  amusement  in  the  bar- 
racks after  the  hours  of  work,  and  though  no  merit  is  claimed 
for  them  on  the  ground  of  originality  of  thought  or  expression, 
they  are  reproduced  here  simply  as  a  part  of  the  barrack-life  of 
the  Fifth  while  quartered  at  Federal  Hill." 
5* 


io5        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

WORK  IN  THE  TRENCH. 
A  Parody  on  "Mickey  Frees  Lament." 

BAD  luck  to  this  grading, 
This  picking  and  spading, 
While  summer  suns  heat, 
And  winter  rains  drench  ; 
I'm  not  come  for  a  digger, 
I'd  as  lieve  be  a  nigger 
As  spend  all  my  days 
At  work  in  the  trench. 

Then  though  we  work  well, 
The  why  1  can't  tell, 
The  divil  a  farthing 
We've  ever  yet  seen  ; 
Some  say  if  we  wait, 
'Twill  come  soon  or  late — 
On  my  faith,  I  think 
They're  confoundedly  green. 

From  reveille  beat 

Till  the  welcome  retreat, 

They  keep  us  at  work 

With  our  picks  and  our  spades ; 

Let  us  long  as  we  may 

To  join  in  the  fray, 

They  give  us  no  chance 

To  try  our  good  blades. 

Once  done  with  this  work, 
And  back  in  New  York, 
I'll  stick  to  my  trade, 
Be  it  field,  bar,  or  bench, 
Not  the  Indies  nor  Spain 
Could  tempt  me  again 
To  enlist  for  a  soldier 
And  work  in  the  trench. 


Life  at  Baltimore.  107 

Bad  luck  to  this  grading, 
This  picking  and  spading, 
While  summer  suns  heat, 
And  winter  rains  drench — 
There,  the  drums  are  calling  ! 
The  sergeant's  a-bawling ! 
Och !  the  divil  fly  away 
With  this  work  in  the  trench  ! 

M.  W. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  SPADE. 
A  Parody  on  Hood's  "Song  of  the  Shirt:' 

WITH  limbs  all  weary  and  worn, 
His  temples  throbbing  with  pain, 

A  soldier  sat  in  unsoldierly  mood 
Chanting  a  sad  refrain — 
Work  !  work !  work  ! 

From  morning  till  evening  parade  ; 

And  still,  with  tones  in  which  sorrows  lurk, 

He  sings  the  "  Song  of  the  Spade  !  " 

Work  !  work  !  work  ! 
When  the  drums  their  reveille  beat  | 

And  work  !  work  !  work  ! 
Till  we  hear  the  welcome  retreat ! 
Oh,  I'd  as  lieve  be  a  slave 

Along  with  our  Southern  foe, 
Where  one  might  at  least  find  a  grave, 
And  an  end  to  all  his  woe  ! 

Work  !  work  !  work  ! 
Till  the  brain  begins  to  swim  ; 

Work  !  work  !  work  ! 
Till  I  ache  in  every  limb  ! 


io8         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Spade,  and  mattock,  and  pick, 
Pick,  and  mattock,  and  spade 
Till  I  sigh  for  the  rest  that  Death  would  bring, 
And  wish  in  my  grave  I  was  laid  ! 

Oh,  ye  who  rule  the  war  ' 

Ye  who  have  children  and  wives  ! 
It  is  not  the  foe  you're  fighting  against, 

But  your  brave  soldiers'  lives  ! 
Work  !  work  !  work  ! 

From  morning  till  evening  parade, 
We  dig  at  once  a  trench  and  a  grave, 

For  here  will  our  bones  be  laid. 

But  why  do  I  talk  of  death  ? 

Can  the  thought  any  terror  yield  ? 
I  would  not  fear  his  grizzly  shape, 

If  I  meet  him  in  the  field — 

If  I  meet  him  in  the  field, 

For  there  is  the  soldier's  grave ; 
O  God  !  that  I  should  be  prisoned  here, 

To  work  like  a  galley  slave  ! 

Work  !  work  !  work  ! 

Our  toil  no  resting  knows  ; 
And  what  are  its  wages  ?     A  paltry  sum, 

Made  up  in  curses  and  blows  ; 
From  one  in  authority  dressed, 

With  his  epaulettes  and  sword, 
Strutting  about  behind  the  redout, 

As  if  creation's  Lord. 

Work  !  work  !  work  ! 

From  morn  till  dewy  night, 

Work  !  work  !  work  ! 

Like  a  slave  in  its  master's  sight ! 

Pick,  and  mattock,  and  spade, 

Spade,  and  mattock,  and  pick, 

Till  my  limbs  grow  tired,  and  my  arms  are  numbed. 
And  my  very  heart  grows  sick. 


Life  at  Baltimore.  109 

Work  !  work  !  work  I 
In  the  cold  December  day, 

And  work  !  work  !  work  ! 
In  the  sunlight's  hottest  ray, 
When  the  air  is  like  an  oven's  breath, 

While  the  sun  like  fire  glows, 
And  as  we  bend  to  our  toilsome  task, 
We  sigh  for  an  hour's  repose. 

Oh,  but  to  breathe  the  air, 

And  to  taste  the  joys  of  home, 
To  tread  once  more  my  native  sod, 

Never  again  to  roam  ! 
To  live  as  in  days  gone  by, 

To  be  free  as  I  once  was  free, 
To  wander  whither  I  would, 

In  childhood's  sportive  glee  ! 

Oh,  for  a  single  day, 

A  furlough  however  brief ! 
Not  time  to  spend  in  pleasure  or  love, 

But  only  a  moment's  relief ! 
A  glimpse  of  home  would  ease  my  heart — 

One  hour  of  its  peaceful  rest 
Would  remove  a  share  of  the  leaden  care 

That  burdens  my  wearied  breast. 

With  limbs  all  weary  and  worn, 

His  temples  throbbing  with  pain, 
A  soldier  sat  in  unsoldierly  mood, 
Chanting  a  sad  refrain  : 

Work  !  work  !  work  ! 
From  morning  till  evening  parade  ! 
And  still  in  a  tone  in  which  sorrows  lurk, 
He  sings  the  song  of  the  spade. 

M.  W. 

One  morning  a  party  of  laborers  were  refused  admittance 
into  camp  because  they  were  said  to  be  of  secessionist  pro- 


1 10         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

divides.  They  hailed  from  a  section  in  the  Eighth  Ward, 
called  "  Limerick,"  which  was  thoroughly  rebel  in  spirit. 
On  August  3ist  the  few  laborers  employed  at  the  fort, 
after  they  left  for  their  homes  in  the  evening,  had  a  lively 
encounter  with  another  party,  just  outside  of  the  works.  It 
was  Secessionist  and  Unionist,  but  no  one  was  seriously 
hurt. 

The  Fifth  was  compelled  to  suffer  a  personal  loss  in  the 
early  part  of  September  by  the  promotion  of  its  commander 
to  a  higher  duty.  On  the  loth  we  learned  that  Col.  Abram 
Duryee,  after  whom  this  regiment  was  named,  had  been 
appointed  a  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers.  He  therefore 
ceased  his  immediate  connection  with  the  regiment  which  he 
organized,  and  did  so  much  to  exalt  in  its  efficiency,  drill, 
and  discipline.  The  country  owes  him  a  debt  of  gratitude 
for  organizing  in  its  service  a  body  of  men  who  rendered 
such  service  to  the  country  during  the  war.  He  had  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing  that  he  could  leave  it  without  any 
anxiety  as  to  its  future  career ;  for,  under  the  leadership  and 
training  of  the  well-known  and  accomplished  officer  of  the 
regular  army  who  succeeded  him  in  command,  and  to  whom 
he  was  so  greatly  indebted  for  the  discipline  and  drill  of  the 
regiment,  its  good  name  already  acquired  could  not  be  lost. 
It  must  ever  be  a  source  of  proud  satisfaction  for  him  to  re-* 
member  that  Duryee 's  Zouaves  were  known  throughout  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  as  the  best  drilled  volunteer  regiment 
in  the  service  ;  and  for  efficiency  and  discipline,  was  equaled 
by  few  and  excelled  by  none. 

On  Tuesday,  the  loth,  Capt.  Partridge,  of  Company  A, 
two  Sergeants,  two  Corporals,  one  drummer,  and  thirty  pri- 
vates were  detailed  to  go  to  Rock  Hall  Landing,  on  board 
the  steamer  Pioneer,  to  arrest  a  company  of  secessionists, 
who  were  supposed  to  be  drilling  there,  making  an  old 
school-house  their  place  of  rendezvous.  The  pilot,  on  ac- 
count of  some  misunderstanding,  carried  them  about  fifteen 


Life  at  Baltimore.  Ill 

miles  from  the  place,  and  those  having  charge  of  the  boat 
gave  them  no  reliable  information.  The  Captain  ordered 
the  boat  to  be  stopped,  arrested  the  crew,  and  then  dropped 
anchor  and  had  the  fires  put  out.  At  half-past  four  the  next 
morning,  the  engineer  and  firemen  were  released  and  ordered 
to  get  up  steam,  which  was  done,  and  at  half-past  five  the 
boat  was  on  the  way  to  Baltimore,  where  it  arrived  at  10 
A.M.,  and  the  party  returned  to  camp. 

Lieut-Col.  Warren  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  Fifth  on 
Sept.  n,  1861,  and  also  Captain  in  the  corps  of  U.  S.  Engi- 
neers ;  Capt.  Denike,  of  Company  G,  resigned  on  the  6th. 
He  was  absent  on  furlough  in  New  York,  while  all  the  re- 
cent changes  and  resignations  of  the  officers  were  taking 
place,  and  being  senior  Captain,  was  entitled  to  either  the 
Lieut.  -  Colonelcy  or  Majorship,  which  were  both  vacant. 
But  in  the  reorganization  two  younger  officers  stepped  into 
the  vacancies.  It  was  a  new  illustration  of  the  old  saying 
that  "  all  is  fair  in  war."  The  men  of  Company  G  were 
sorry  to  lose  their  Captain,  who  had  proved  himself  to  be 
their  friend,  a  brave  and  good  officer,  and  a  Christian.  Cap- 
tain Denike  was  presented  with  a  handsome  sword,  which 
cost  $100,  by  the  members  of  his  former  command,  the 
presentation  b  ing  made  by  a  committee  of  six  of  the  men. 

Lieut.  York  was  tendered,  and  accepted,  an  appointment 
as  Captain  in  the  regular  infantry. 

Captain  Jacob  Duryee,  of  Company  G,  son  of  our  late 
Colonel,  now  General,  was  appointed  Lieut.-Colonel  of  the 
2d  Maryland  regiment,  recruited  in  Baltimore.  By  this  ap- 
pointment we  lost  another  brave  officer. 

The  regiment  having  received  new  uniforms,  made  a  grand 
parade  through  the  city  on  the  i5th  of  September,  and 
were  received  with  much  enthusiasm. 

As  a  contrast  to  the  promotions  and  compliments  of  this 
month,  we  were  compelled  on  the  i8th  to  witness  the  dis- 
honor of  the  flag  by  the  dismissal  of  two  of  our  men.  The 


H2         Fifth  New    York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

regiment  was  drawn  up  in  line,  and  the  culprits  were 
drummed  out  of  camp.  One  of  them,  James  Nixon,  was 
hung  in  the  Tombs,  New  York  city,  a  few  years  after  the 
war,  for  shooting  down  a  stevedore  in  Chatham  Square  in 
broad  daylight. 

From  the  memoranda  made  under  date  of  October  loth, 
etc.,  the  author  copies  a  brief  description  of  the  fort  as  it 
stood  at  that  date  : 

"  The  hill  on  which  it  is  built  is  a  very  admirable  site  for 
a  fortification.  When  standing  on  the  parapet  the  visitor 
can  have  but  one  opinion  as  to  its  commanding  position ; 
and  in  the  event  of  an  attack,  it  could  resist  any  force 
brought  against  it.  It  is  an  immense  square  fortification, 
occupying  about  two-thirds  of  the  highest  part  of  the  hill, 
the  space  inside  of  the  embankments  being  nearly  four  acres 
in  extent.  The  earthworks  would  be  half  a  mile  in  length 
if  extended  in  a  single  line,  thus  affording  shelter  for  a  large 
body  of  men,  who  could  keep  up  a  fearful  fire  of  musketry 
in  perfect  security,  while  the  columbiads  and  other  siege 
guns,  stationed  at  regular  distances  in  the  bastions  and  along 
the  curtain,  were  admirably  planted  for  dealing  out  death 
and  destruction.  The  breastworks  were  splendid  specimens 
of  engineering  art,  averaging,  at  least,  fifteen  feet  through 
at  the  base,  and  sloping  upward  to  about  six  feet  across  at 
the  top.  The  height  of  these  formidable  banks  is  about  nine 
feet  at  the  highest  point  of  the  hill,  running  out  on  a  water- 
level  to  the  lower  side,  where  it  varies  from  fifteen  to  eight- 
een feet.  They  are  not  loosely  thrown  up,  for  every  shovelful 
of  clay  which  forms  the  mass  was  beaten  down  compactly 
with  heavy  paviors'  pounders,  and  the  outer  sides  are  shaved 
off  as  smooth  as  a  parlor  wall.  In  addition  to  these  is  a 
ditch  in  front  of  the  bank  about  eight  feet  deep,  making,  at 
the  most  exposed  points,  an  escalade  of  at  least  twenty  feet 
for  a  storming  party  to  ascend. 

"  There  are  three  large  bastions,  the  guns  of  which  com- 


Life  at  Baltimore.  113 

mand  the  river  above  and  below,  and  every  part  of  the  city 
beyond ;  and  as  they  throw  eight-inch  shot  or  shell,  it  is  not 
difficult  to  imagine  the  havoc  they  will  make  if  ever  they  are 
called  into  use.  A  lunette  commands  the  approaches  from 
the  land  side.  The  fort  is  entered  upon  its  south-west  face  by 
a  bridge  and  a  huge  gate,  and  the  entrance  is  protected  by  a 
ditch.  Within  the  fort  is  a  well  eighty  feet  deep,  supplying 
excellent  water  in  abundance." 

An  abstract  from  the  author's  journal  will  serve  to  show 
how  the  time  was  employed  at  this  period  : 

"Reveille  at  6  A.M.  ;  directly  after,  roll  call,  when  every  one 
must  be  present  and  answer  in  person  ;  if  not,  he  is  reported 
absent  and  unaccounted  for,  and  subject  to  punishment ; 
then  '  Policeing  Quarters,'  which  means  to  sweep  out  •  the 
tents,  pick  up  the  waste  and  rubbish  lying  about  camp,  even 
to  the  minutest  bit  of  paper,  and  put  everything  in  complete 
order. 

"Breakfast  call  at  6.15,  when  the  men  fall  in  and  repair 
in  single  file  to  the  respective  company  cooks,  who  are 
enlisted  men  detailed  from  the  regiment.  A  tin  pint  cup  of 
coffee  is  served  with  no  milk,  with  a  piece  of  very  fat  pork 
or  bacon  to  each  man,  which  is  thankfully  received  if  it  hap- 
pens to  be  of  good  size.  Then  they  repair  to  their  respect- 
ive tents,  the  cup  and  plate  being  private  property  (but  the 
latter  he  rarely  has),  and  sits  down  on  the  ground  and  dis- 
cusses his  meal. 

"  Sick  call  at  6.30,  when  all  who  are  indisposed,  their 
names  having  previously  been  entered  by  the  Orderly  Ser- 
geant of  each  company  in  a  book  prepared  for  the  purpose, 
repair  to  the  surgeon's  quarters  (in  charge  of  a  Sergeant), 
who  examines  each  man  as  his  name  is  called,  marks  oppo- 
site his  name  the  malady  and  the  prescription,  also  a  mark 
whether  to  attend  duty  or  be  excused.  No  Captain  or 
Lieutenant  can  excuse  a  man  from  duty,  unless  first  passed 
upon  by  the  surgeon. 


114        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

"  Drill  call  at  8.30.  When  we  assemble  in  company 
quarters,  roll  again  called  ;  then  in  charge  of  a  commis- 
sioned officer,  each  company  marches  to  some  open  fields 
about  half  a  mile  from  camp,  and  go  through  the  various 
evolutions,  until  11.30,  when  the  recall  is  sounded  on  the 
bugle. 

"  Dinner  call  at  noon,  when  the  roll  is  again  called.  This 
meal  consists,  without  variation,  day  after  day,  of  either 
boiled  cabbage,  or  pork,  bean  soup,  beef  stew,  and  a  small 
loaf  of  bread  ;  the  latter  must  last  for  three  meals  or  go 
without.  At  2.30  P.M.,  again  fall  in  and  roll  called.  Knap- 
sack drill  in  the  same  place  as  the  morning's  drill,  but  it  is 
a  'battalion'  instead  of  company  drill.  Are  formed  into 
line  of  battle,  charge  over  fences,  etc ,  which  generally  re- 
sults in  some  lofty  tumbling  and  miscellaneous  scratches, 
form  squares,  and  march  by  either  front — form 'column  by 
division — drill  in  double-quick  time,  etc.  At  4  o'clock  or 
later,  return  to  camp.  Sometimes  instead  of  the  latter  drill, 
we  are  formed  in  line  on  the  parade-ground  inside  the  fort. 
The  drum  beats,  and  immediately  each  company,  without 
further  orders,  repair  at  a  double-quick  to  their  places  be- 
hind the  intrenchments,  go  through  the  movements  of  load- 
ing and  firing,  aim,  etc.  At  the  order  Charge,  every  man 
jumps  upon  the  parapet,  and  rushes  to  the  edge  of  it  with 
a  yell,  his  bayonet  pointed  downward,  as  if  to  thrust  at  an 
enemy  trying  to  scale  up  the  sides  of  the  fort. 

"At  5,  or  4.30  P.M.,  as  the  days  are  short,  are  assembled 
and  roll  called,  and  marched  out  for  dress  parade,  which 
takes  place  outside  the  fort,  if  the  weather  is  propitious,  and 
is  witnessed  by  hundreds  of  citizens,  many  of  whom  come 
in  their  carriages.  After  this  performance,  we  have  supper, 
which  consists  of  a  cup  of  tea  or  coffee  and  a  piece  of 
bread  off  the  loaf,  given  out  at  dinner-time.  This  diet  is 
sometimes  varied  by  a  ration  of  rice  and  molasses,  which  is 
considered  a  rare  treat.  At  8  P.M.,  retreat,  roll  call ;  8.30, 


Life  at  Baltimore.  115 

taps.  '  Lights  out]  cry  the  Orderly  Sergeants,  when  every 
candle  is  extinguished  except  in  the  tents  of  the  latter,  and 
the  quarters  of  the  officers  and  guard.  After  this  no  talking 
or  noise  is  allowed  under  heavy  penalties.  Thus  closes  the 
duties  of  the  day,  and  silence  reigns  supreme,  except  the 
tread  of  the  sentinel  who  is  pacing  his  beat,  or  his  sharp 
challenge,  and  the  cry  of  '  Corporal  of  the  Guard,'  when 
perhaps  he  has  caught  some  unlucky  straggler  trying  to  steal 
in  or  out  of  camp. 

"Wednesday,  October  16. — Captain  Hamblin,  of  Com- 
pany I,  and  his  command  have  been  on  an  expedition,  about 
50  miles  from  camp,  and  surprised  a  meeting  of  secession- 
ists, surrounding  them  and  capturing  17  muskets  and  40 
cartridge-boxes,  and  thoroughly  dispersing  the  rebels. 

"  Monday,  November  4. — The  weather  is  now' quite  cold, 
and  the  sentinels  exposed  to  it  at  night  feel  it  keenly,  notwith- 
standing their  overcoats.  We  have  had  a  very  severe  storm, 
the  rain  falling  in  torrents,  and  the  wind  blowing  a  fierce 
gale.  It  was  impossible  to  drill,  or  rather,  not  necessary  to 
expose  the  officers  and  men  to  such  a  storm,  and  conse- 
quently all  not  on  necessary  duty  were  housed  in  their  tents 
most  of  the  time  for  30  hours,  excepting  at  roll  calls,  meal 
times,  and  the  never  omitted  evening  parade,  which  was, 
however,  in  undress  with  overcoats. 

"  There  are  quite  a  number  on  the  sick  list  and  in  the 
hospital  with  rheumatism,  etc.,  while  some  have  been  dis- 
charged as  unfit  for  further  service.  The  citizens  say  that 
in  winter  Federal  Hill  is  the  coldest  spot  near  Baltimore, 
and  the  men  begin  to  think  that  *  public  opinion '  is  quite 
correct  on  this  point." 

Captain  Hamblin,  the  former  Adjutant,  and  a  great  favor- 
ite with  both  officers  and  men,  has  accepted  a  commission  as 
Major  in  the  65th  New  York  Regiment,  U.  S.  Chasseurs. 
All  are  very  reluctant  to  part  with  him.  He  was  a  man  of 
fine  presence,  standing  about  six  feet  four  inches,  with  a 


n6        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

voice  like  thunder ;  and  I  can  not  better  describe  the  effect 
he  produces  on  an  evening  parade  than  by  quoting  an 
extract  from  the  New  York  Times,  written  by  an  officer  of 
this  regiment,  which  is  as  follows : 

"  Captain  Hamblin  would  be  easily  remembered  in  New  York 
by  all  who  witnessed  our  march  down  Broadway,  if  they  were 
told  that  he  was  the  fall  and  colossal  officer  who  marched  along 
at  such  a  seven-league  pace,  his  good-looking  phiz  all  smiling 
and  joyful.  Captain  Hamblin,  'The  Adjutant,'  as  the  boys  still 
love  to  call  him,  is  a  feature  in  our  regiment,  and  would  be  sorely 
missed.  We  felt  bothered  when  we  no  longer  had  Col.  Duryee, 
but  if  in  an  evil  hour  we  should  lose  'The  Adjutant,'  God  help 
the  regiment,  say  I.  You  remember  the  description  given  by 
Kate  Rocket,  in  the  old  comedy,  of  her  fiery,  blustering  father — 
I  forget  the  exact  words — but  still  I  never  could  hear  little  Miss 
Gannon  describe  his  coming  on  parade  with  a  stiff  military  air, 
frowning  down  the  line,  and  pretending  not  to  hear  the  '  God 
bless  his  old  heart,'  without  tears  starting  in  my  eyes ;  and  I 
never  yet  was  on  parade  when  '  The  Adjutant '  came  thundering 
along  the  line  without  thinking  of  the  similarity.  He's  a  treasure 
to  us.  I  could  keep  on  all  day  telling  you  about  his  ways, 
although  I  have  scarcely  ever  said  a  word  to  him  in  all  my  life, 
but  I  have  no  space ;  besides,  it  is  hardly  fair,  and  so  I  stop  by 
saying  that  he  is  one  of  the  funniest  men  you  ever  saw.  He  has, 
for  instance,  a  huge  dog,  about  the  size  of  a  small  rat,  and 
his  kennel  is  an  empty  box  of  David's  ink,  about  as  big  as  one 
of  those  boxes  of  honey  one  sees  in  New  York,  while  over  it  is 
a  fearful  placard — '  Beware  of  the  Dog  ! ' ' 

The  men  of  the  regiment  subsequently  made  up  the  sum 
of  $600,  which  was  appropriated  to  buy  a  stallion,  which 
was  presented  to  Major  Hamblin,  as  a  substantial  token  of 
their  regard. 

In  speaking  of  dogs,  the  writer  before  quoted  from,  says : 

"There  are  a  great  number  of  dogs  now  belonging  to  the 
regiment,  picked  up  at  Hampton  among  the  deserted  houses  in 
that  unfortunate  village.  These  clogs  have  a  home  in  some 


Life  at  Baltimore*  117 

company,  but  they  seem  to  have  each  a  separate  duty  to  perform. 
One  always  mounts  guard ;  another  gets  in  front  of  the  drum 
corps  at  dress  parade  ;  there  he  squats  gravely  until  the  band 
has  done  playing ;  then  as  the  drums  strike  up,  he  barks  away  to 
the  no  small  amusement  of  the  visitors ;  and,  as  at  the  instant 
the  drum  stops,  the  evening  gun  fires,  over  he  goes  in  a  back 
somersault,  somewhat  astonished,  and  not  exactly  understanding 
what  makes  the  noise.  This  fellow  is  also  detailed  to  go  with 
the  patrol  that  leaves  every  morning  and  evening  for  the  city  for 
the  military  prisoners. 

"  Another,  a  large  black  Newfoundland,  better  known  as 
Bounce,  the  property  of  Co.  G,  but  claimed  by  Lieutenant  Jacob 
Duryee,  used  to  attend  all  parades  of  the  regiment  until  the 
'  Lieutenant  was  promoted  to  the  Lieutenant-Colonelcy  of  the  2d 
Maryland  Regiment,  when  he  was  carried  off.  All  hands  of 
course  supposed  that  Bounce  had  forgotten  his  old  corps  in  the 
enjoyment  of  his  newly-acquired  promotion.  But  fidelity  in  a 
dog  is  stronger  than  some  people  imagine,  for  the  other  day 
Bounce  made  his  appearance  on  dress  parade,  as  if  nothing 
had  happened,  and  I  suppose  he  will  remain  a  fixture — a  regular 
Union  dog — and  an  example  to  all  would-be  deserters. 

"G.  C." 

Another  canine  who  became  a  favorite  attached  himself 
to  the  regiment  at  Camp  Hamilton.  He  was  a  little  Scotch 
terrier,  whom  the  boys  named  Jack.  He  took  up  his  quarters 
at  the  guard  tent,  where  he  could  constantly  be  seen  on 
duty,  following  after  the  different  reliefs.  He  would  always 
return  with  them  and  remain  until  another  relief  was  called 
out.  The  last  that  was  seen  of  him  was  on  the  dock,  the 
night  the  regiment  embarked  for  Baltimore,  having  followed 
after  his  friends.  The  men  felt  the  loss  of  Jack  almost  as 
much  as  that  of  a  comrade,  for  he  was  a  true  type  of  a  faith- 
ful friend. 

Only  one  of  the  Captains  (Winslow)  who  belonged  to  the 
regiment  at  its  organization,  now  remained  in  that  grade,  and 
he  was  absent  on  a  visit  to  New  York,  having  accidentally 


1 1 8         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

sent  a  pistol  shot  through  his  foot.  Col.  Warren  was  sick 
and  confined  to  his  quarters  at  times  for  two  months,  but  had 
recovered,  and  was  also  absent  on  a  short  furlough.  The 
regiment  was  reviewed  and  inspected  by  Gen.  R.  B.  Marcy, 
father-in-law  of  Gen.  George  B.  McClellan,  and  Inspector- 
General  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  following  day 
we  were  mustered  in  for  pay. 

We  could  now  boast  of  a  very  fine  band,  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Mr.  Wallace,  of  New  York.  It  was  made  up  of  pro- 
fessional musicians,  and  some  very  fine  amateurs,  who  were 
detailed  temporarily  from  the  ranks.  The  drum  corps,  how- 
ever, was  our  pride,  and  was  under  the  charge  of  that  veteran 
knight  of  the  drum-sticks,  John  M.  Smith,*  who  maintained 
strict  discipline  among  his  large  corps,  and  took  them  to  a 
distance  every  day  and  drilled  them  until  their  arms  ached. 
They  were  such  masters  of  their  art  that  on  parade  they  were 
greeted  with  much  applause.  They  made  a  splendid  appear- 
ance, for  they  were  a  good-looking  set  of  lads,  and  com- 
manded the  admiration  of  all  who  saw  them  in  their  Zouave 
uniforms. 

The  following  verses  were  written  by  one  of  our  drummer- 
boys,  which  are  worthy  of  preservation  as  one  of  the  ballads 
of  the  time  : 

To  THE  FIFTH  NEW  YORK  ZOUAVES. 

BY   ONE   OF   THE   DRUM    CORPS. 

A  regiment  once  left  New  York  to  gain  themselves  a  name, 
Also  to  prove  that  they  could  fight  and  play  the  Yankee  game. 
At  old  Fort  Schuyler  they  began  their  duties  with  a  will, 
And  in  a  month  they  proved  to  all  that  they  were  some  on  drill. 

CHORUS — Oh,  Secessia,  what's  the  use  of  funning, 

Don't  you  see  the  red  breeches,  look  at  them  coming? 
On,  Zouaves,  on  ! 


*  Smith  has  been  for  years  the  Drum-Major  of  the  7th  Regiment,  and  also  of  the 
Brooklyn  isth.  One  of  his  pupils  (Jenks)  acts  in  the  same  capacity  for  the  7151 ; 
and  another  (Strube)  for  the  zzd  Regiment ;  McKeever  for  a  New  Jersey  Regiment. 


Life  at  Baltimore.  119 

To  Fort  Monroe  by  order  sent,  they  quickly  took  their  way, 
They  left  New  York  one  pleasant  night,  arrived  up  there  next 

day  ; 
When  the  rebels  heard  that  they  had  come,  it  grieved  them  very 

sore, 
For  they  never  thought  the  "  Red  Devils  "  could  land  upon  their 

shore.  Chorus. 

They  did  their  duty  faithfully,  and  "  easy  "  slept  at  night, 
Till  one  fine  day  they  got  "  good  news  ;  "  it  was  to  go  and  fight ; 
On,  on  to  Bethel,  was  the  cry,  nor  did  they  ever  tire, 
Though  on  the  double-quick  they  went  to  meet  the  rebel  fire. 

Chorus. 

The  Fifth  drawn  up  in  line,  stood  motionless  and  still, 
They  met  the  fire  manfully,  returned  it  with  a  will ; 
But  orders  soon  awake  them,  for  "  Warren  gave  the  word," 
And  in  advance,  on  double-quick,  they  went  to  meet  the  herd. 

Chorus. 

Then  next  to  Baltimore  they  went,  another  post  to  fill, 
And  very  soon  threw  up  a  fort  high  on  Federal  Hill ; 
They  placed  a  flag-staff  on  their  fort,  aided  by  some  "  tars," 
And  hoisted  up  their  country's  flag,  the  glorious  Stripes  and  Stars. 

Chorus. 

They  on  an  expedition  went,  down  to  old  Accomac, 
And  very  soon  the  rebels  found  the  red  boys  on  their  track ; 
So  they  took  and  pulled  their  tent-pins  up,  for  they  couldn't  see 

the  fun, 
And  the  Fifth  got  into  Accomac,  and  the  rebels  into  a  run. 

Chorus. 
They  took  some  pretty  trophies — cannon,  muskets,  swords,  and 

shot, 

Likewise  some  loaded  shell,  which  the  rebels  had  forgot ; 
They  took  good  care  nothing  to  spare,  but  everything  to  bag, 
And  in  Northampton  County  they  took  a  rebel  flag.      Chorus. 

The  Fifth  once  made  a  grand  parade  through  the  streets  of 

Baltimore, 
And  "  Baltimoreans  "  said  they  never  saw  the  like  before ; 


I2O        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Their  arms  shone  bright  as  silver,  their  step  was  firm  and  true, 
While  marching  to  the  music  of  "  Yankee  Doodle  Doo." 

Chorus. 

The  Fifth  have  got  a  Drum-Major,  a  gentleman  of  ease, 
He's  a  soldier,  knows  his  business,  believe  me,  if  you  please ; 
His  pupils  know  his  style,  and  obey  him  with  a  will, 
But  if  they  neglect  his  orders,  why,  he  gives  them  extra  drill. 

Chorus. 

The  bully  Zouave  drum  corps  are  some  upon  a  stick, 
They  understand  their  business,  can  go  a  double-quick; 
When  they  are  on  parade  the  girls  look  at  them  shy, 
And  whisper  to  each  other,  How  I'd  like  a  "  Drummer-boy." 

L  horus. 

And  now  my  ditty's  ended,  as  you  shall  quickly  see, 
And  I've  told  you  of  the  Fifth  Zouaves,  so  happy  and  so  free  ; 
Three  cheers  for  their  brave  officers,  the  noble  sons  of  Mars, 
Who  swear  to  live  or  die  beneath  the  glorious  Stripes  and  Stars. 

Chorus. 

The  drummer-boys,  imitating  their  older  companions,  were 
continually  hatching  mischief  and  playing  jokes.  The  band- 
master was  a  great  admirer  of  Maggie  Mitchell,  the  actress, 
who  was  a  frequent  visitor  to  the  camp  to  witness  the  even- 
ing parades  of  the  regiment,  and  as  in  duty  bound,  the  offi- 
cers always  showed  her  great  attention.  One  night  the  band- 
master marched  his  band  with  the  drummers  out  of  the  fort  and 
into  the  city,  finally  halting  them  in  front  of  the  hotel  of  the 
actress,  intending  to  give  her  an  agreeable  surprise  by  a 
serenade.  The  music  was  delightful,  and  the  affair  was  a  suc- 
cess, but  he  had  arranged  that  the  drummers  were  to  carry 
torches  in  order  that  his  musicians  could  read  their  notes,  and 
that  it  might  be  seen  by  the  actress  to  whom  she  was  indebt- 
ed for  this  compliment.  They,  on  the  other  hand,  had  ar- 
ranged that  when  a  certain  one  of  their  number  counted  one, 
two,  where  the  number  three  came  in,  out  should  go  the 
lights.  The  band-master  was  in  the  midst  of  his  most  en- 
chanting piece,  and  he  was  performing  his  own  part  with  the 


Life  at  Baltimore.  121 

rest,  his  soul  full  of  music  and  happiness  with  the  thought 
that  he  was  delighting  the  ear  of  the  actress  he  so  much  ad- 
mired. When  one,  two,  puff,  out  went  the  lights,  the  music 
came  to  an  abrupt  termination,  and  the  stillness  was  broken 
by  three  emphatic  words  not  necessary  to  repeat,  and  his  ears 
were  saluted  by  the  ringing  laugh  of  the  bewitching  Maggie, 
who  showed  her  appreciation  of  the  joke  by  clapping  her 
hands,  and  she  probably  enjoyed  this  episode  which  the  mis- 
chievous drummer-boys  had  inserted  in  the  performance,  as 
much  as  she  did  the  music. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  chronicle  one  of  the  Drum- 
Major's  practical  jokes,  perpetrated  at  the  expense  of  a 
member  of  his  own  craft. 

One  day  Adjutant  Hamblin,  Sergeant-Major  Jack  Collins, 
and  himself,  were  dining  together  in  the  tent  of  the  latter, 
when  a  knock  was  heard  from  without,  on  the  tent  pole. 
Smith  called  out :  "Who  is  there  ?"  "Drum-Major  of  the 
4th  Michigan,"  was  the  answer.  "  Come  in  !  Drum-Major 
of  the  4th  Michigan;"  and  he  went  in.  Of  course  he  was 
invited  to  be  seated  and  take  dinner.  After  the  meal  was  over, 
the  conversation  turned  on  the  mysteries  of  the  art  of  drum- 
ming. Fourth  Michigan  said  that  he  had  heard  that  Smith 
was  a  professor  of  the  art,  and  he  had  come  over  to  see  him, 
and  hear  a  specimen  of  his  accomplishments  in  that  line. 
Smith  told  him  that  he  was  mistaken  as  to  his  being  able  to 
drum ;  all  he  did  was  to  walk  ahead  and  flourish  his  stick ; 
he  understood  how  to  do  that.  "  But,"  said  he,  "  I  can  ap- 
preciate good  drumming  when  I  hear  it,  and  if  you  have  no 
objections  I  should  be  very  much  pleased  to  hear  what  you 
can  do  with  the  drum-sticks  !  "  "  All  right,"  replied  Michi- 
gan, and  he  took  the  drum  that  was  handed  him,  and  putting 
the  strap  over  his  shoulders,  he  struck  a  position  for  business 
and  asked  what  it  should  be.  Smith  said,  "  Let  us  have  the 
long  roll  ! "  not  thinking  of  the  consequences.  And  now, 
thoroughly  interested,  down  came  the  sticks,  and  out  came 
6 


122         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  well-known  alarm  rattle.  At.  the  first  sound,  out  rushed 
Smith,  Kamblin,  and  Collins,  leaving  his  astonished  guest 
alone,  and  the  startling  conviction  flashed  on  his  mind  that 
he  was  badly  sold,  and  had  committed  a  serious  breach  of 
military  discipline.  Some  of  the  companies  had  jumped  to 
arms,  and  the  officer  of  the  day  rushed  into  the  tent  and 
caught  the  unhappy  offender,  "  dead  to  rights,"  as  the  de- 
tectives say.  He  tried  to  explain,  but  it  was  of  no  use.  He 
was  sent  to  the  guard-house.  Smith  was  brought  before  the 
Colonel,  and  for  some  time  matters  looked  serious.  But  it 
passed  over,  and  after  some  time  spent  in  durance,  the  mu- 
sical interviewer  from  Michigan  was  released,  and  departed 
for  his  camp,  thankful  that  he  was  not  to  be  court-martialed 
and  shot. 

On  Tuesday,  the  i2th  of  November,  six  companies  of  the 
regiment,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Warren,  left  on  an 
expedition  to  the  eastern  shore  of  Virginia.  They  took  bag- 
gage-wagons with  them.  It  was  understood  that  some  five 
thousand  men  were  under  orders  for  this  service,  and  there 
was  much  disappointment  among  those  who  were  left  to 
guard  the  fort. 

The  carpenters,  with  the  assistance  of  men  of  that  trade 
detailed  from  the  regiment,  commenced  work  on  the  bar- 
racks. In  the  meantime,  the  men  built  large  camp-fires  to 
keep  themselves  warm,  and  around  these  they  congregated 
when  off  duty,  to  talk  and  sing  songs.  Guard  duty  returned 
every  four  days  while  the  other  companies  were  away,  and 
we  had  the  usual  drill  the  other  three  days.  The  fort  was 
under  the  command  of  Major  Hull,  who  kept  the  battalion 
under  the  usual  discipline.  Large  quantities  of  cannon-balls 
were  received,  and  they  grew  into  regulation  pyramids  ready 
for  use.  There  was  no  limit,  apparently,  to  the  number. 

Sunday,  Dec.  i. — Thanksgiving  Day  (Thursday)  was  cel- 
ebrated by  firing  a  grand  salute  of  thirty-four  guns  with  the 
thirty-two-pounders,  which  made  the  hill  shake,  while  the 


Life  at  Baltimore.  123 

concussion  broke  all  the  windows  of  the  houses  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  fort.  After  the  salute  the  hand  played  several  na- 
tional airs.  The  surgeon  supplied  all  the  men  with  oysters 
as  a  present  from  himself,  and  the  sutler  gave  out  cigars,  so 
all  were  happy.  Saturday  a  Volunteer  Union  Company 
of  thirty-five  boys,  dressed  in  Zouave  uniform,  visited  camp, 
drilled  and  went  through  different  maneuvers  very  creditably, 
and  in  the  evening  at  dress  parade  drew  up  opposite  the  bat- 
talion, after  which  they  marched  away. 

A  remarkable  event  of  camp  life  which  occurred  just  at 
this  time,  was  described  by  a  Baltimore  journal  as  follows  : 

AN  ELOPEMENT. 
Marriage  of  a  Zouave — Exciting  Affair. 

THE  greatest  excitement  of  the  season  transpired  in  East 
Baltimore  shortly  after  four  o'clock  on  Sunday  afternoon,  the  par- 
ticulars of  which  we  will  give  in  as  brief  a  manner  as  possible  : 
Connected  with  the  5th  New  York  Zouave  Regiment,  encamped 
on  Federal  Hill,  is  a  handsome  and  brave  volunteer,  who  in  a  few 
weeks  after  visiting  our  city  fell  in  love  with  a  sweet  young  lady 
residing  on  the  Hill,  but  whose  father  is  secesh  to  the  back-bone. 
The  daughter,  however,  entertained  different  opinions,  and  boldly 
declared  that  if  ever  she  became  a  wife,  a  bold  soldier  boy  should 
be  her  husband. 

The  Zouave,  upon  learning  the  sentiments  of  the  old  man,  was 
sorely  troubled,  but  nerved  himself  with  the  assurance  that 
"Faint  heart  never  won  fair  lady,"  and  resolved  to  press  his 
suit  and  carry  off  the  prize  despite  the  threats  of  the  enraged 
parent. 

For  a  while  all  went  along  smoothly,  when  red  breeches  learned 
that  the  father  of  his  loved  one  had  issued  a  proclamation  that 
his  daughter  should  wed  a  chap  who  was  in  heart  as  great  a 
coward  as  ever  lived,  and  in  principle  so  mean  that  a  clock  would 
not  tick  while  he  was  in  the  room. 

The  young  girl,  like  a  true  heroine,  detested  him,  and  informed 
her  Zouave  beau  how  matters  stood.  The  latter  managed  a 
stolen  interview  on  Saturday  morning,  which  resulted  in  the  dear 


124        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

girl  giving  her  hand  to  her  sweetheart  and  agreeing  to  an  elope- 
ment. The  time  named  was  half-past  three  o'clock  Sunday  aft- 
ernoon at  the  house  of  a  friend.  The  time  arrived,  and  so  did 
our  hero  with  a  horse  and  buggy.  In  a  twinkling  the  loving 
couple  were  rattling  over  the  cobble-stones  at  a  merry  rate  in 
search  of  a  minister  to  tie  the  Gordian  knot.  Up  one  street  and 
down  another  the  horse  sped  until  the  corner  of  Lombard  Street 
and  Broadway  was  reached.  At  this  point  the  Zouave  jumped 
from  his  buggy  and  inquired  of  a  gentleman  where  a  minister 

Hcould  be  found  that  would  render  happy  at  short  notice  a  couple 
anxious  to  get  married.  The  gentleman  could  not  impart  the 
desired  information,  when  our  hero  again  sprang  into  the  buggy 
and  drove  to  the  corner  of  Pratt  Street,  where  his  beating  heart 
was  quieted  by  John  Randolph,  Esq.,  who  informed  the  Zouave 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas,  pastor  of  the  Broadway  Baptist 
church,  would  perform  the  ceremony.  To  the  church  sped  the 
party  (including  the  horse  and  buggy),  and  in  a  short  time  the 
blushing  damsel  and  her  companion  were  closeted  with  the 
minister. 

By  this  time  it  became  noised  about  that  an  elopement  was  on 
hand,  and  such  an  outpouring  of  marriageable  ladies  was  never 
before  witnessed  on  Broadway.  Young  ladies  crowded  about 
the  church  doors  in  great  numbers,  while  the  windows  of  adja- 
cent dwellings  were  thronged  with  older  persons,  all  anxious _to 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  wedded  pair  as  they  emerged  from  the 
sacred  edifice ;  and  when  they  did  appear,  many  were  the  well 

,  wishes  for  their  future  welfare  that  greeted  them  on  all  sides. 
Forcing  their  way  through  the  crowd,  the  happy  couple  seated 
themselves  in  the  buggy  and  passed  rapidly  up  Broadway.  Vive 
la  Zouave  !  Vive  la  Elopement ! 


CHAPTER   VII. 

THE   EASTERN   SHORE— LIFE  AT  BALTIMORE. 

THE  EASTERN  SHORE— OBJECTS  OF  THE  EXPEDITION— A  PROCLAMATION  BY  GEN- 
ERAL Dix— "  MARCHING  ALONG  !  "—A  SURPRISED  ZOUAVE— REBEL  SPIRIT  AND 
REBEL  SPIRITS — A  SOLDIERS'  REUNION — REBEL  VISITORS  SINGING  THE  STAR 
SPANGLED  BANNER — RETURN  OF  THE  EXPEDITION— RESULTS — A  SOCIABLE  PA- 
RADE—  REBEL  FLAG  REVERSED  —  RECRUITING  —  OPENING  THE  BARRACKS  — 
u  FORT  FEDERAL  HILL" — SECOND  YEAR  OF  THE  WAR — OUR  SURGEON — A  SUR- 
GICAL DUELIST — RUNNING  THE  GUARD — "  THE  ZOUAVE  HOUSE  '' — A  MUSICAL 
MASKED  BATTERY  —  FLAG  PRESENTATION  BY  THE  LADIES  OF  SOUTH  BAL- 
TIMORE—ADDRESS BY  JOHN  WILLIS,  ESQ.  — COLONEL  WARREN'S  REPLY  — A 
GRAND  BALL  AT  HEADQUARTERS— FORT  MARSHALL — WASHINGTON'S  BIRTHDAY 
—  AN  INDIGNANT  ZOUAVE  —  GRAND  CITY  BALL  —  A  MILITARY  EXECUTION  — 
ATTACK  THREATENED— THE  MERRIMAC — CHANGE  OF  BASE — Ho  FOR  FORTRESS 
MONROE!  —  FAREWELL  TO  BALTIMORE — 'OuR  FAREWELL  ENTERTAINMENT  — 
RELIEVED  BY  THE  THIRD  NEW  YORK — FALLING  INTO  LINE — MARCH  THROUGH 
BALTIMORE — EXCITING  SCENES — FAREWELL  SONG. 

ON  Tuesday,  the  i2th  day  of  November,  1861,  six  com- 
panies, A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F,  of  the  5th  Regiment,  who  were 
to  act  in  concert  with  other  troops,  in  all  about  five  thousand 
men,  left  Baltimore  on  the  steamer  Pocahontas,  for  the 
purpose  of  invading  Accomac  and  Northampton  Counties, 
Virginia,  the  former  Congressional  district  of  Ex  Governor 
Wise,  his  country  seat  being  near  Onancook,  Accomac 
County. 

There  were  many  Union  people  in  the  two  counties,  but 
they  had  been  overawed  by  the  secessionists,  who  were  in 
the  majority,  and  had  been  actively  recruiting  many  young 
men  from  the  ranks  of  the  inhabitants  for  the  Confederate 
army. 

The  two  counties  comprised  about  eight  hundred  square 
miles,  with  a  population,  including  negroes,  of  about  twenty 
thousand.  There  were  about  three  thousand  militia,  who 

(125) 


126        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

had  assembled  together  in  a  camp,  under  a  Colonel  Smith, 
of  the  Confederate  army,  and  batteries  were  being  built  to 
resist  any  advance  of  Federal  troops  into  this  territory.  It 
was  the  object  of  General  Dix  to  send  such  a  large  force 
against  them  as  to  either  capture  this  body  of  men,  or  to  over- 
awe and  disband  them.  Many  of  them  were  Unionists,  but 
were  compelled  to  enter  the  Confederate  ranks  by  threats  of 
personal  danger  and  destruction  of  property ;  and  it  was 
anticipated  that  if  troops  were  sent  to  their  aid,  and  a  firm, 
yet  conciliatory  po  icy  was  adopted,  the  secession  element 
would  become  demoralized,  and  the  Unionists  would  not 
only  be  protected,  but  would  remain  firm  adherents  to  the 
loyal  cause.  The  command  of  the  expedition  was  intrusted 
to  General  Lock  wood,  of  Delaware,  and  consisted  of  de- 
tachments of  the  1 7th  Massachusetts,  5th  New  York,  2ist 
Indiana,  6th  Michigan,  4th  Wisconsin,  Nims'  Battery,  Troop 
of  Cavalry,  2d  Delaware  Home  Guards,  and  Purnell  Legion. 

On  Wednesday,  the  i3th,  the  steamer  on  which  the  Fifth 
had  embarked  entered  Pocomoke  Sound  and  River,  and  got 
aground.  The  men  were  taken  off  the  next  day  at  9  o'clock, 
by  the  steamer  Star,  and  at  10  A.M.  landed  at  Newton, 
Worcester  County,  Md.,  just  above  the  Virginia  line,  and 
encamped.  From  this  place  General  Lockwood  sent  a 
messenger  under  a  flag  of  truce  across  the  line  into  Vir- 
ginia, and  circulated  a  printed  proclamation  to  the  inhabit- 
ants, issued  by  General  Dix,  which  called  upon  all  in  arms 
against  the  Government  to  lay  down  their  arms  and  dis- 
perse, promising  protection  to  the  Unionists,  and  the  penal- 
ties of  the  law  against  the  disunionists  if  they  continued  in 
their  treasonable  acts,  etc. 

Upon  receiving  the  proclamation,  the  Union  people  were 
wild  with  delight,  and  the  camp  of  the  secessionists  began 
to  melt  away.  On  Sunday,  the  lyth,  the  troops  crossed  the 
boundary  line  into  Virginia,  the  cavalry  in  advance,  the  5th 
New  York  leading  the  infantry,  and  encamped,  after  a  march 


The  Eastern  Shore — Life  at  Baltimore.       127 

of  twelve  miles,  at  Oak  Hall.  During  the  march  they  en- 
countered many  obstructions,  designed  to  impede  their 
advance;  bridges  had  been  burned,  and  trees  were  thrown 
across  the  roads,  some  of  which  it  was  necessary  to  remove, 
and  deserted  earthworks  were  found  at  Oak  Hall. 

November  18. — The  cavalry  advanced  by  a  forced  march  to 
Drummondtown,  and  raised  the  Stars  and  Stripes  on  the  pole 
on  which  the  day  before  the  Confederate  flag  had  been  flying. 

November  20. — Marched  to  Knappsville,  eight  miles,  and 
encamped. 

November  21. — Marched  fifteen  miles,  to  a  point  seven 
miles  from  Drummondtown,  and  encamped.  During  this 
march  we  discovered  another  battery,  mounting  eight  guns, 
almost  new,  of  which  we  took  possession.  During  the 
night  rain  set  in,  and  the  companies  remained  in  this  camp 
until  Sunday,  the  24th.  Up  to  this  time  nine  guns  and  one 
hundred  flint-lock  muskets  had  been  seized.  Colonel  Smith, 
who  commanded  the  troops  at  the  earthworks,  escaped ;  but 
we  made  prisoners  of  one  Captain  and  two  Lieutenants. 

November  22. — During  the  night  Captain  Partridge,  of 
Company  A,  and  a  squad  of  men,  went  in  search  of  arms, 
and  found  a  number  of  sabres  and  equipments  which  had 
been  hidden  in  the  woods,  and  Sergeant  Pike  captured  a 
large  Confederate  flag. 

November  24. — We  marched  to  Eastville  and  encamped, 
being  seventy-seven  miles  from  Newton,  from  which  place 
the  expedition  had  started.  A  number  of  the  2ist  Indiana 
were  put  under  arrest  for  foraging  and  committing  depre- 
dations. 

General  Lockwood,  before  the  expedition  started,  had 
issued  an  order  that  any  one  caught  out  of  camp  should 
be  put  in  irons  ;  but  notwithstanding  the  imperative  nature 
of  the  order,  and  the  severity  of  the  threatened  punishment, 
some  of  the  men  of  the  various  regiments  could  not  resist 
the  temptation  to  wander  out  of  the  lines. 


128         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

One  night  after  the  regiment  had  gone  into  camp,  one 
of  the  Zouaves  ventured  on  a  private  errand  as  provider. 
He  went  to  a  house  near  by,  and,  without  ado,  approached 
and  knocked  on  the  door.  "  Come  in,"  cried  a  manly 
voice.  He  thought  it  an  encouraging  summons,  and  forth- 
with opened  the  door;  but  much  to  his  astonishment,  he  saw 
Colonel  Warren  and  Captain  Partridge  warming  themselves 
over  the  fire.  If  he  ever  disobeyed  an  order  of  his  com- 
manding officer  during  his  two  years'  service,  it  was  on  this 
particular  occasion.  He  not  only  refused  to  obey,  but  rudely 
closed  the  door  and  beat  a  hasty  and  disorderly  retreat  around 
the  corner  of  the  house.  Seeing  a  cellar-door  open,  his  first 
impulse  was  to  disappear  down  that  way ;  but  luckily  for  his 
second  thought,  he  did  better  by  tumbling  head  over  heels 
into  a  pig-sty  conveniently  near,  regardless  of  pigs  or  mire. 
Out  rushed  the  officers,  who  saw  the  cellar-door  open,  and 
concluded  that  the  rascal  had  gone  below.  The  Captain 
rushed  back  to  get  a  light,  while  the  Colonel  stood  guard, 
saying  that  he  would  cut  the  scoundrel  down  if  he  attempted 
to  dash  by  him.  Soon  the  Captain  appeared  with  the  light, 
and  while  they  were  looking  into  the  cellar,  "  Phil"  got  out 
of  the  other  side  of  the  sty  and  made  extraordinary  time 
back  to  camp,  thanking  his  stars  for  his  narrow  escape. 
"  Phil "  is  now  one  of  the  shining  lights  of  the  New  York 
Bar. 

Two  men,  who  afterward  confessed  that  they  had  been 
officers  in  the  Confederate  army,  after  drinking  freely,  met 
some  unarmed  Zouaves  out  of  camp,  drew  their  pistols  and 
pointed  at  them.  They  were  arrested,  and  taken  be- 
fore Colonel  Warren,  confined  for  the  night  in  comfortable 
quarters,  and  supplied  with  substantial  meals  from  his  own 
table  ;  blankets  were  also  furnished,  and  a  good  fire  made 
for  them.  In  the  morning,  when  they  were  sober  and  pen- 
itent, and  ashamed  of  their  conduct,  the  Colonel  explained 
to  them  the  principles  and  the  cause  he  was  fighting  for,  and 


The  Eastern  Shore — Life  at  Baltimore.       129 

the  madness  and  folly  of  their  own  false  position,  serenaded 
them  with  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner."  and  dismissed 
them. 

Wednesday,  November  27. — Colonel  Warren  invited  a 
number  of  gentlemen  known  to  be  bitter  secessionists, 
some  of  whom  were  formerly  rebel  officers,  to  witness  a 
drill  and  parade  of  the  Fifth,  and  afterward  join  him  in  a 
soldier's  supper.  At  the  appointed  hour  they  came  in  fine 
equipages,  for  they  belonged  to  the  wealthy  and  influential 
classes. 

The  Zouaves  were  encamped  in  a  dense  pine  forest  near 
the  village  of  Eastville,  adjoining  which  was  a  large  and 
level  meadow,  which  made  an  admirable  parade-ground. 
The  movements  were  performed  under  the  order  of  the 
Colonel,  in  a  most  successful  manner,  and  the  gentlemen 
were  astonished,  never  having  witnessed  anything  like  it  be- 
fore ;  afterward  they  had  a  splendid  supper  around  a  roar- 
ing fire.  They  were  stretched  in  a  semicircle  about  it.  sit- 
ting and  reclining  on  red  blankets  laid  upon  pine  boughs, 
from  which  they  could  se^  the  Zouaves  flitting  about  their 
camp-fires  in  the  pine  woods  across  the  meadow.  The 
scene  in  the  dusk  of  evening  was  enchanting  and  like  a 
vision  of  fairy-land.  After  the  bountiful  repast,  the  Colonel 
sent  for  some  fine  singers  of  the  regiment,  and  they  were 
entertained  for  an  hour  by  their  performance.  They  then 
sung  "The  Red,  White,  and  Blue,"  and  the  finale  was  the 
"  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  in  which  all  joined  with  great 
effect.  The  secession  visitors  got  excited,  and  sang  louder 
than  any  of  them,  swinging  their  hats  in  the  air ;  after  which 
they  declared  that,  after  all,  they  had  an  interest  in  the  old 
flag — that  one-half  of  it  belonged  to  the  South,  and  it  was 
a  shame  to  divide  it.  They  wound  up  by  proposing,  and 
joining  in,  cheers  for  the  flag,  for  the  5th  New  York,  and 
for  the  Union. 

Tattoo,  with  "  Yankee  Doodle,"  played  with  fife  and  drum, 


130        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

cut  short  the  entertainment.  This  little  incident  did  more 
to  overcome  the  secessionists,  in  spite  of  themselves,  than  a 
hard  battle  would  have  done. 

Col.  Warren  invited  Gen.  Lockwood  to  witness  a  drill  of 
the  Fifth  a  few  days  afterward,  as  he  did  not  seem  to  entertain 
very  cordial  feelings  toward  the  Zouaves.  But  whether  the 
question,  "  Who  stole  that  goose  ? "  which  became  prover- 
bial in  the  regiment,  had  anything  to  do  with  it,  has  never 
been  determined. 

The  regiment  went  through  the  movements  with  automatic 
precision  in  quick  and  double-quick  time.  The  General  was 
astonished,  and  said  that  he  had  never  seen  anything  like  it 
in  the  whole  of  "Delaware"  and  that  it  could  not  be 
excelled. 

Monday,  Dec.  2. — Marched  to  within  seven  miles  of  Pona- 
teague,  covering  twenty-one  miles,  where  more  deserted  in- 
trenchments  and  obstructed  roads  were  discovered. 

Tuesday,  Dec.  3. — Left  the  camping  ground,  and  reached 
the  steamer  Star^  lying  at  Fonateague,  on  the  Chesapeake 
Bay,  about  noon. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  4. — Started  about  6  A.M.  on  board  the 
steamer  Star,  for  Federal  Hill,  arriving  at  the  fort  on  the 
morning  of  the  5th,  after  an  absence  of  twenty-three  days. 

The  companies  had  marched  on  this  expedition  over  160 
miles,  in  heavy  marching  order,  besides  having  severe  drills 
while  lying  in  camp.  They  found  the  majority  of  the  peo- 
ple to  be  poor  and  ignorant,  many  of  the  women  having 
neither  shoes  nor  stockings,  with  their  dresses  unfashionably 
short.  The  negroes  were  allowed  one  coat,  one  pair  of 
shoes,  two  shirts,  and  one  pair  of  trousers  for  the  year,  and 
some  of  their  clothes  were  so  much  patched  that  they  looked 
like  bed-quilts.  At  first  the  negroes  were  very  much  alarm- 
ed, and  kept  aloof,  but  having  caught  one,  and  given  him  a 
Union  drill,  by  tossing  him  in  a  blanket,  they  soon  had  their 
hands  full.  They  said  that  their  masters  had  told  them  that 


The  Eastern  Shore — Life  at  Baltimore.       131 

the  Yankees  would  cut  their  arms  and  legs  off.  They  were 
greatly  surprised  and  gratified  to  find  that  instead  of  being 
treated  in  that  way,  they  were  welcomed  wijh  "  Union 
drills." 

To  sum  up,  the  expedition  seized  ten  cannon,  eight  of 
which  were  new,  a  thousand  stand  of  arms,  flags,  etc.,  be- 
sides disbanding  the  drafted  militia,  restoring  confidence  to 
the  Unionists,  and  demoralizing  the  secessionists. 

Colonel  Warren  was  much  opposed  to  the  policy  of  delay 
pursued  by  General  Lockwood  at  first,  and  offered  to  take 
his  battalion  and  Nims'  battery,  and  push  through  to  the  end 
of  the  Peninsula.  Had  he  been  allowed  to  do  so,  there  can 
be  little  doubt  that  Colonel  Smith,  the  Confederate  leader, 
would  have  been  captured. 

On  the  evening  of  Friday,  Dec.  6th,  the  officers  being 
again  "  at  home,"  had  a  "  sociable,"  in  the  Colonel's  quar- 
ters, which  were  in  a  brick  building,  formerly  used  as  a 
hotel,  which  was  allowed  to  remain  when  the  fort  was  built, 
and  was  situated  inside  the  works,  near  the  western  embank- 
ment. The  men  also  had  an  improvised  concert,  the  band 
played  at  intervals,  cheers  were  given  for  Colonel  Warren, 
and  expressions  not  very  complimentary  to  General  Lock- 
wood  or  his  military  sagacity,  were  indulged.  Altogether  the 
entertainment  was  worthy  of  the  occasion. 

The  following  day,  the  weather  being  propitiously  beauti- 
ful, all  of  the  command  that  could  be  spared,  marched  out 
for  a  parade  through  the  city,  bearing  the  Confederate  flag 
that  was  seized  on  the  late  expedition,  upside  down. 

It  was  publicly  presented  to  General  Dix,  at  his  head- 
quarters in  the  city,  after  which  the  men  gave  three  tre- 
mendous cheers  for  General  Dix  and  the  American  Union. 
Doubtless  the  rebels  growled  and  gnashed  their  teeth  at  the 
disgrace  of  their  flag. 

On  Friday,  Dec.  i3th,  several  of  the  officers  and  a  few  of 
the  men  were  sent  to  New  York  to  obtain  recruits. 


132         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

It  may  seem  strange,  that  regiments  in  the  service,  when 
they  have  not  lost  many  men  in  battle,  are  obliged  to  recruit 
so  often.  The  reasons  are,  that  all  comparatively  new  or- 
ganizations lose  many  men,  who,  when  first  enlisted,  pass  a 
medical  examination,  but  have  not  the  stamina  to  endure  the 
hardships  and  exposure  to  which  they  are  subject.  In  addi- 
tion to  this,  many  desert.  It  is  a  hard  school,  and  puts  to 
the  test  all  that  there  is  in  a  man  in  the  way  of  fortitude,  pa- 
tience, endurance,  and  all  the  hardier  qualities,  as  well  as  mor- 
al courage.  After  the  weaker  ones  are  sifted  out,  there  remains 
a  body  of  strong,  enduring  soldiers,  who  can  perform  any 
duty,  and  submit  to  any  hardship,  who  do  the  hard  lighting  in 
a  battle,  and  are  "  mustered  out "  either  by  death  on  the 
field  of  battle,  or  with  honor  at  the  end  of  their  term. 

The  attendance  at  divine  service  on  Sundays  was  small, 
seldom  exceeding  over  twenty ;  last  Sunday  quite  a  large 
number  assembled,  on  account  of  some  remarks  made  by 
Colonel  Warren  on  the  subject,  and  the  men  were  drawn 
together  at  his  request. 

A  few  evenings  since  the  men  gave  a  concert,  in  one  of 
the  nearly  finished  barracks.  A  stage  was  erected  at  one 
end,  and  decorated  as  tastefully  as  the  means  at  their  com- 
mand would  allow ;  seats  of  plain  boards  were  arranged  for 
the  audience,  with  camp-stools,  borrowed  for  the  occasion, 
to  accommodate  the  officers.  There  were  recitations  and 
scenes  from  "  Macbeth,"  etc.,  which  were  acted  out  in  the 
most  tragic  manner.  The  Drum-Major  gave  an  exhibition 
of  his  skill  on  the  drum,  and  he  made  it  speak  in  his  hands. 
The  good  voices  selected  from  members  of  the  regiment, 
gave  some  very  harmonious  music,  and  the  Colonel  and 
officers  were  very  much  entertained  and  gratified. 

On  Monday,  the  23d,  the  men  struck  tents,  and  moved 
into  the  barracks,  "They  were  large  and  roomy,  two  stories 
high,  with  double  verandas,  supported  by  slight  pillars,  and 
facing  inward  toward  the  square.  They  occupied  three 


The  Eastern  Shore — Life  at  Baltimore.       133 

sides  of  the  quadrilateral,  within  the  high  embankments,  and 
upon  the  fourth  are  situated  a  neat  cottage  of  brick,  com- 
monly called  the  Colonel's  quarters ;  a  guard-house,  and  an 
unimposing  building  which  affords  ample  accommodation 
for  the  commissary  and  quartermaster's  departments. 

"  One  building  is  occupied  by  the  officers,  and  the  others 
are  divided  into  rooms  ninety  feet  in  length,  each  division 
furnishing  ample  accommodation  for  one  hundred  men. 
Three  tiers  of  bunks  occupy  each  side  of  the  company 
quarters,  and  are  arranged  in  the  most  convenient  and  ap- 
proved manner.  Company  kitchens  also  occupy  the  ends 
of  the  large  center  building,  and  there  are  rooms  in  the  same 
building  for  the  band  and  the  sutler.  The  buildings  inclose  a 
large  parade-ground,  sufficient  in  extent  for  ordinary  military 
purposes ;  and  the  square  is  ornamented  with  native  trees, 
which  please  the  eye  and  afford  an  agreeable  shade." 

The  company  rooms  were  each  heated  by  two  stoves, 
which  stood  at  either  end,  and  the  comfort  of  these  quarters 
contrasted  favorably  with  that  of  the  cold  and  crowded  tents. 
The  day  before  moving  was  dreary  and  rainy  ;  the  wind 
blew  a  gale,  and  the  tents  appeared  to  lie  in  a  morass  of 
mud  and  water.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  change  was 
immensely  for  the  advantage  of  the  men  for  health  as  well 
as  comfort.  The  boys  enjoyed  themselves  extremely  in 
their  new  quarters,  and  after  camping  out  so  long,  we  felt 
somewhat  domesticated  in  our  new  surroundings. 

Thursday,  December  26. — Our  works  have  been  named 
and  are  to  be  made  historical  by  the  title  of  "  Fort  Federal 
Hill."  The  armament  of  the  fort  is  six  8-inch  columbiads  ; 
two  lo-inch  mortars  ;  two  8-inch  S.  C.  howitzers  ;  twenty- 
three  32-pound  guns;  five  24-pound  howitzers  (flank  de- 
fense), and  several  6-pound  brass  pieces.  Stored  in  the 
three  magazines  were  10,000  pounds  of  cannon  powder  and 
1,000  hand  grenades.  In  addition  there  was  in  the  fort 
over  4,000  solid  shot,  shell,  grape  and  canister  shot. 


134        Fifth  Nezu   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  Confederate  flag  captured  in  the  late  expedition  to 
the  eastern  shore  of  Virginia,  and  presented  to  General  Dix, 
was  sent  by  him  to  the  Mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York. 
The  following  is  from  the  New  York  Times  of  December 
27,  1861  : 

MAYOR'S  OFFICE,  December  26,  1861. 
To  THE  HONORABLE  THE  COMMON  COUNCIL: 

GENTLEMEN  : — I  have  received  a  communication  from  Major- 
General  Dix  (a  copy  of  which  is  annexed),  accompanying  a  se- 
cession flag,  captured  in  Virginia  by  the  5th  Regiment  of  New 
York  Volunteers  (Duryee's  Zouaves"),  under  his  command. 

In  compliance  with  the  desire  of  Major-General  Dix,  it  be- 
comes my  pleasant  duty  to  transmit  this  trophy  of  a  New  York 
regiment  to  the  appropriate  custody  of  the  municipal  authorities 
of  the  city  to  which  this  gallant  corps  belongs.  New  York  will 
preserve  this  relic  with  pious  care,  as  a  proof  of  the  courage  of 
her  sons  and  their  patriotic  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  Union. 
Let  us  receive  it  as  an  auspicious  token,  and  as  an  earnest  of  the 
restoration  of  peace  and  the  triumph  of  that  Constitution  which 
is  the  only  safeguard  of  the  true  glory  and  happiness  of  our  coun- 
try. I  recommend  that  the  Common  Council,  in  receiving  the 
flag,  pass  resolutions  congratulating  the  regiment  of  New  York 
Zouaves  for  their  gallant  spirit,  and  thanking  General  Dix  for  his 
kindly  remembrance  of  the  city. 

FERNANDO  WOOD,  Mayor. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  above  message,  the  Common  Coun- 
cil adopted  a  resolution  returning  the  thanks  of  the  city  to 
the  Fifth  Regiment  for  the  flag. 

Friday  Jan.  3,  1862. — With  the  opening  of  the  new  year 
winter  had  fully  set  in,  and  in  the  morning  the  air  was  very 
keen.  The  season  was  cold,  and  in  addition  we  had  the  full 
force  of  the  north  winds  on  the  elevated  position  we  occu- 
pied. The  surgeon,  or  "  Opium  Pills,"  as  the  men  called  him, 
whatever  may  have  been  his  scientific  attainments,  was  not 
fortunate  as  an  officer  or  a  humanitarian.  He  was  tyranni- 
cal and  cruel.  It  was  his  custom  when  the  sick  came  before 


Life  at  Baltimore.  135 

him,  to  commence  business  by  asking  his  steward  to  bring 
him  "  some  of  those  bitters,"  which  was  evidently  nothing 
less  than  about  five  fingers  of  raw  whisky.  His  loaded  re- 
volver was  laid  on  the  table  at  his  side,  and  for  some  imagi- 
nary provocation  he  would  fly  into  a  towering  passion,  bring 
his  fist  down  on  the  table  with  an  oath,  upsetting  the  ink  and 
everything  else,  and  either  kick  some  poor  fellow  out  of  the 
room,  or  seize  his  revolver  and  threaten  to  blow  somebody's 
brains  out.  One  of  the  officers,  Quartermaster  Wells,  took 
him  at  his  word  one  day,  much  to  the  joy  of  the  men. 
There  had  been  some  trivial  dispute  between  them,  and  the 
surgeon  (V.)  challenged  the  Quartermaster.  But  he  found 
that  he  had  a  new  patient  to  deal  with,  and  not  a  list  of  sick 
privates  who  could  not  resist  his  brutality.  The  challenge 
was  accepted,  the  Quartermaster  being  a  dead  shot,  and  ac- 
customed to  making  his  fire  tell,  and  the  imperious  surgeon 
was  obliged  to  retire  his  challenge,  and  retire  himself,  by 
resigning  his  commission. 

Passes  to  the  city  are  again  restricted,  only  one  for  each 
company  being  allowed  every  twenty-four  hours.  In  conse- 
quence some  of  the  men  resume  their  guard-running  prac- 
tices, with  the  risk  of  being  fired  at  by  the  sentries,  besides 
being  court-martialed  when  caught,  or  if  they  missed  a  roll 
call. 

No  harm  will  come  now  to  any  one  to  tell  where  the  run- 
aways often  spent  their  time,  and  where  the  guard  could 
have  made  a  good  capture  not  very  far  from  the  fort.  The 
"Zouave  House"  will  never  be  forgotten  by  the  Fifth.  A 
convenient  trap-door  led  down  into  a  dark  cellar,  where  the 
carousers  found  refuge  when  their  pickets  gave  the  alarm  ; 
the  trap  was  then  covered  over  with  the  carpet,  and  a  piano 
stood  over  the  spot.  It  was  a  long  time  before  this  cover 
was  discovered  and  our  musical  masked  battery  was  aban- 
doned. 

Wednesday,  January  8. — To-day  there  are  about  fifty  boys 


136         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

enjoying  themselves  outside  the  fort,  coasting  down  the  hill 
with  their  sleds.  Sergeant  F.,  feeling  disposed  to  participate 
in  the  sport,  borrowed  a  sled  from  one  of  the  boys,  and  was 
soon  going  down  the  hill  as  fast  as  he  could  desire  :  but  un- 
fortunately for  him,  when  he  was  about  half  the  distance,  he 
and  his  conveyance  parted  company  ;  he  slid  about  twenty 
feet  in  one  direction  and  his  sled  in  another,  materially  mar- 
ring the  beauty  of  his  countenance.  The  men  standing  on 
the  parapets  of  the  fort  gave  a  shout  at  his  mishap,  and 
he  ever  after  bore  the  name  of  "  Hunkey  Slide." 

The  men  had  become  very  proficient  in  their  drill,  and 
were  familiar  with  both  the  heavy  and  light  infantry  manual, 
bayonet  exercise,  heavy  and  light  artillery,  street  firing,  etc., 
and  in  addition  one  man  was  detailed  daily  from  each  com- 
pany to  learn  the  art  of  making  cartridges.  They  were 
again  allowed  their  full  complement  of  passes  to  the  city, 
and  guard-running  consequently  decreased. 

On  Thursday,  February  6th,  the  regiment  was  compli- 
mented by  the  presentation  of  a  beautiful  garrison  flag,  pre- 
pared by  the  ladies  of  South  Baltimore.  Although  the 
weather  was  not  very  favorable,  a  large  assembly  was 
gathered  within  the  fort,  the  ladies  of  South  Baltimore,  who 
manifested  great  interest  and  pride  in  the  regiment  that  had 
built  Fort  Federal  Hill,  forming  the  principal  part  of  the 
throng.  The  interior  of  the  fort  was  placed  in  excellent 
order,  and  notwithstanding  the  alternate  storms  of  rain  and 
snow,  afforded  a  fair  promenade-ground  for  our  fair  visitors. 

The  following  account  of  the  presentation  is  from  the 
Baltimore  American  of  February  7,  1862  : 

"  At  half  past  two  '  the  assembly  '  was  beat,  and  the  regi- 
ment formed  as  for  dress  parade  on  three  sides  of  the  parade- 
ground.  After  formation,  the  regiment  was  closed  at  half-dis- 
tance in  front  of  the  headquarters,  Colonel  Warren  in  front  of 
his  command,  and  the  ceremonies  of  presentation  commenced. 
The  flag  was  brought  forward  by  Messrs.  Edward  H.  Price  and 


Life  at  Baltimore.  137 

Joseph  Brooks,  the  committee  of  arrangements  on  the  part  of 
the  ladies. 

"JOHN  WILLIS,  Esq.,  was  introduced,  and  delivered  the  fol- 
lowing presentation  address : 

"  To  THE  OFFICERS  AND  SOLDIERS  OF  THE  FIFTH  NEW 
YORK  ZOUAVE  REGIMENT  : — I  have  been  honored  with  the 
privilege,  by  patriotic  ladies  residing  within  the  southern  section 
of  Baltimore,  of  presenting,  in  their  name  and  on  their  behalf, 
to  your  regiment,  the  5th  New  York  Zouaves,  this  beautiful  en- 
sign of  our  country's  nationality.  Soon  as  man  emerges  from 
barbarism  toward  civilization,  even  in  its  rudest  form,  we  find 
him  naturally  seeking  some  congenial  association.  It  is  not 
meet  that  he  should  live  alone,  as  the  fair  donors  of  this  exquisite 
gift  would  willingly  attest. 

"  Combining  thus  for  the  better  preservation  of  his  own  and 
his  neighbors'  rights ;  looking  also  through  the  light  of  reason, 
and  in  the  exercise  of  those  attributes  which  distinguish  him 
above  all  other  animate  beings,  he  seeks  the  enjoyment  of  con- 
solidated advantages  vouchsafed  in  unity  of  purpose  and  of 
power. 

"Associations  thus  formed  naturally  adopt  their  insignia, 
their  mottoes,  their  emblems  of  faith,  until  each  representation 
becomes  the  reflective  index  of  an  embodied  principle.  Thus 
from  the  small  beginning  of  a  rude  circle,  allied  in  plighted  faith, 
looking  toward  the  grand  ultimatum  of  human  happiness,  we 
behold  traced  out  the  progress  of  civilization,  until  mighty  na- 
tions have  sprung  into  being,  mapping  the  great  globe  congenial 
to  their  desired  nationality. 

"  The  revolutions  of  ages  have  brought  us  to  the  present  mo- 
mentous epoch  in  the  world's  history.  The  whole  habitable  face 
of  our  green  earth  is  marked  and  countermarked  with  geograph- 
ical and  national  divisions.  These  seem  to  have  been  the  natural 
and  almost  unavoidable  results  of  maturing  and  matured  ex- 
perience. 

"  Having  therefore  risen  to  the  high  dignity  of  nations,  each 
with  its  integral  though  consolidated  millions,  has,  in  some 
form  01  other,  adopted  the  ensign  of  its  faith,  not  only  to  be 
respected  at  home,  but  to  command  respect  abroad. 


138         Fifth  New    York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

"  There  are  some,  in  an  individual  point  of  view,  whose  patriot- 
ism, I  regret  to  infer,  has  been  so  mildewed  as  to  divert  their 
mental  visions  from  a  true  perception  and  translation  of  the  real 
sentiment  embodied  in  such  ensigns. 

"Looking,  as  they  are  prone  to  look,  at  our  precious  Star 
Spangled  Banner  under  existing  unfortunate  circumstances,  their 
frigid  philosophy  misleads  them  to  pronounce  it  an  unmeaning 
combination  of  colors  and  shreds. 

"  We  envy  not  the  heart  from  whose  cold  recess  has  vanished 
the  sacred  memories  of  this  our  country's  ever-glorious  flag. 
Would  that  the  gladsome  period  be  not  distant  when  all  such 
sluggish  pulsating  organs  may  be  enabled  to  throb  afresh  with 
renovated  patriotism,  and  that  the  bright  image  of  this  starry 
emblem  may  again  live  there  to  flourish,  and  blossom  and  bloom 
as  the  rose  in  the  wilderness. 

"  The  rainbow,  with  its  tinted  colors,  in  arching  beauty  spans 
the  blue  vault.  We  behold  it  with  admiring  eyes,  are  awe-stricken 
with  its  grandeur,  and  venerate  Him  who  sprung  it  in  the  heav- 
ens. Nor  this  alone  ;  for  faith  points  to  it  standing  there  as 
an  everlasting  pledge  of  fidelity  from  God  to  man. 

"  It  is  not,  then,  the  simple  colors,  so  gorgeously  blended, 
which  fade,  perchance,  with  the  passing  cloud,  but  our  knowl- 
edge of  their  return  to  represent  a  sure  pledge — a  living  eternal 
principle — that  enchains  the  beholder's  admiration. 

"The  golden-orbed  sun  invites  us  to  his  sinking  in  the  purple 
west,  leaving  earth  overshadowed  with  darkness  and  gloom  ;  but 
hope  points  steadily  to  an  auroral  morn  when  he  will  arise  again 
with  the  same  promethean  fire  to  assume  meridian  splendor. 
The  moon  and  stars  are  hidden  from  visu  range,  yet  they  anon 
come  forth,  fresh  as  when  first  created,  to  illumine  Niobe's  path- 
way across  the  spangled  heavens. 

"  It  is  the  living  embodiment  of  a  sublime  principle  contained 
within  the  silken  folds  and  clustering  stars  of  this  our  nation's 
proud  banner  that  wins  our  hearts  and  bids  us  reverence  its 
holy  memories.  In  youth  we  learned  its  history  ;  in  manhood's 
earlier  years,  its  name  was  as  an  household  word  ;  in  life's  Indian 
summer,  it  gained  deeper  reverence ;  and  as  wintry  age  grows 
apace,  the  old  heart  becomes  perennial  in  contemplating  its 


Life  at  Baltimore.  139 

glories.  The  Revolutionary  patriot,  and  those  who  followed  it 
through  danger  to  victory  in  later  struggles,  never  forgot,  and 
never  can  forget,  so  sacred  a  thing  as  their  country's  flag. 

"  To  us  it  is  a  legacy  bequeathed  from  sire  to  son.  It  was 
baptized  in  the  sacred  blood  of  freedom,  and  still  waves  an  em- 
blem of  untainted  liberty. 

"  Almost  a  century  has  passed  since  our  Revolutionary  fathers 
proclaimed  their  independence  and  gave  us  this  pledge  of  the 
wisdom,  the  power,  and  the  grandeur  of  republican  liberty.  On 
land  and  sea,  in  storm  and  in  sunshine,  at  home  and  abroad,  in 
fertile  valleys  and  on  mountain  tops,  on  lake  and  river,  plain, 
island,  or  desert,  we  speak  in  reverence  of  Mount  Vernon's  holy 
shrine  where  Washington  sleeps  !  Wherever  civilization  has 
planted  this  banner  and  fixed  these  stars,  they  are  the  faithful 
sentinels  of  human  happiness. 

"  Under  them  we  have  grown  up  from  partial  obscurity  to  in- 
comparable greatness,  from  seeming  weakness  to  unconquerable 
strength  ;  so  that  this  day,  under  this  banner,  in  its  true  constitu- 
tional meaning,  it  is  ours  to  hold  the  world  in  admiration  and  in 
awe.  No  such  word  as  defeat  ever  stained  its  folds,  and,  if  we 
prove  true  to  ourselves,  never  can. 

"  Pursuing  the  pathways  of  science  in  the  light  of  its  encour- 
aging spirit,  we  have  taught  kingdoms  and  empires  of  the  Old 
World,  grown  gray  in  years  before  ours  had  an  existence,  lessons 
of  practical  wisdom.  That  all-pervading  subtle  principle  of  elec- 
tricity which  fills  the  universe  has  been  called  from  the  thunder- 
cloud by  American  genius,  and  now  speaks  from  these  shores  to 
our  praise  in  all  parts  of  the  civilized  globe. 

"  We  have  placed  steam  upon  the  mighty  deep  to  plow  its 
trackless  billows,  and  given  it  locomotion  on  the  outstretched 
arms  of  our  countless  railways.  Genius  in  innumerable  forms, 
emanating  from  us  in  our  steady  progress  toward  greatness  un- 
der the  aegis  of  this  national  ensign,  has  developed  until  we  find 
its  results  stamped  indelibly  upon  history's  page. 

"Is  it,  then,  surprising,  permit  me  to  ask,  that  we,  as  Ameri- 
cans, are  proud  of  the  standard  our  nation  has  adopted  ? 

"  The  true  soldier  whose  spirit  goes  out  amid  the  roar  and  car- 
nage of  battle,  can  close  his  eyes  in  peace,  if  their  last  gaze  be 


140         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

fixed  upon  this  hallowed  ensign,  Its  azure  and  its  constellated 
stars  are  but  exchanged  for  the  deeper  blue  and  brighter  gems 
that  deck  the  brave  warrior's  celestial  home. 

"  As  the  painter's  brush  transfers  life  to  the  canvas,  making 
even  the  dead  speak,  bringing  loved  forms  and  past  generations 
into  our  very. presence,  so  may  we  behold  the  sentiment,  the  vir- 
tues, the  life,  and  the  pure  intentions  of  Washington  and  his 
compatriots,  speaking  in  resistless  eloquence  from  this  sacred 
banner. 

"  Interwoven  with  life's  crimson  current,  as  it  gushes  out  from 
the  heart  in  warmest  pulsation,  is  commingled  the  undying  love  of 
cherished  friends.  Faces  and  forms  once  familiar  are  forever  mir- 
rored afresh  in  the  vernal  bloom  of  halcyon  recollections.  So  it 
is  with  this  banner.  In  early  life  and  in  maturer  years  it  waved 
over  us  as  a  shield  from  danger.  It  has  won  our  affections,  and 
we  would  not,  if  we  could,  sever  those  ties. 

"  If,  in  the  providence  of  God,  He  should  kindly  send  His  an- 
gels of  mercy  and  of  peace  to  stay  the  red  arm  of  civil  war,  and 
bring  us  again  to  fraternal  unity  as  a  nation,  to  friendship  and 
happiness  as  a  people,  let  the  whole  earth  rejoice  ! 

"  One  of  Maryland's  gifted  sons,  whose  spirit  now,  perchance, 
looks  down  from  higher  spheres,  has  interwoven  this  standard 
with  garlands  of  poesy,  and  given  it  immortality  in  song.  Pre- 
senting it,  therefore,  in  behalf  of  our  '  Monumental '  ladies,  to  the 
gallant  officers  and  men  of  this  regiment,  in  appreciation  of  their 
soldierly  bearing  and  gentlemanly  deportment,  allow  me  to  say, 
as  I  hope  and  bslieve  the  author  would  now  say,  were  he  yet 
living  amongst  us, 

u '  The  Star  Spangled  Banner,  O  long  may  it  wave 

O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave  ! ' 

No  higher  compliment  can  be  desired  than  to  know  it  has  been 
bestowed  by  fair  hands  and  true  hearts  upon  those  who  are  ever 
ready  to  preserve  and  protect  so  priceless  a  gift. 

"  Obedient,  therefore,  to  the  pleasing  trust  conferred  on  me,  it 
becomes  my  high  privilege  to  present  your  noble  regiment,  in  the 
name  of  the  ladies  of  South  Baltimore,  with  this  our  country's 


Life  at  Baltimore.  141 

"  The  address  was  received  with  applause,  and  followed  by  the 
'Star  Spangled  Banner,'  by  the  regimental  band. 

RESPONSE  OF   COLONEL  WARREN. 

"  Colonel  WARREN  received  the  flag,  and,  transferring  it  to 
Major  Hull,  made  the  following  brief  and  appropriate  response : 

"  SIR  : — Allow  me  to  return,  through  you,  to  our  fair  friends  of 
the  city  of  Baltimore,  the  heart-felt  thanks  of  this  regiment  for  the 
friendly  interest  they  have  shown  in  presenting  it  with  a  national 
flag,  the  work  of  their  own  hands. 

"It  is  impossible  for  us  not  to  feel  our  patriotism  glow  afresh 
at  this  proof  of  their  confidence.  The  unfortunate  condition  of 
our  country  brought  us  in  your  rnidst/and  it  is  a  source  of  unfail- 
ing gratification  that  in  this  gift  they  show  that  our  true  position 
is  understood.  We  come  as  supporters  of  the  American  flag, 
and  the  beloved  Constitution  of  which  it  is  the  chosen  emblem, 
and  not  as  conquerors  or  oppressors.  (Cheers). 

"  We  believe  that  the  necessity  which  occasioned  our  presence 
here  has  now  passed  away,  and  trust  that  this  fort,  which  we 
have  aided  in  constructing,  will  hereafter  be  a  safeguard  against 
the  future  outbreaking  of  lawless  violence.  We  hope  soon  to  be 
called  again  to  the  active  scenes  of  the  now  receding  rebellion, 
and  trust,  as  a  part  of  the  great  Union  army,  to  see  this  flag, 
endeared  by  the  associations  of  to-day,  waving  in  some  place 
where  our  misguided  brethren  yet  flaunt  their  rebellious  banner. 
When  that  time  comes,  may  the  knowledge  that  this  flag  of  our 
country  was  made  by  the  ladies  of  a  sister  Southern  State  help 
to  dispel  the  feelings  of  animosity  engendered  by  the  strife. 
Again  I  beg  that  you  will  present  to  the  ladies  our  sincere 
thanks.  (Applause) . 

"  Major  Hull  called  for  three  cheers  for  the  ladies  of  Baltimore, 
which  were  given  by  the  regiment  with  a  will,  and  a  '  tiger.' 

"  Major  Hayward  was  then  called  on  for  a  song,  and  gave  one 
of  his  own  composition,  creating  much  laughter  and  applause  by 
its  amusing  hits.  The  regiment  joined  in  the  chorus  with  vim. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  presentation  the  regiment  was  dismissed 
lor  a  short  interval  (which  was  well  filled  by  the  fine  music  of  the 
band),  and  again  assembled  for  drill  in  the  bayonet  exercise. 


142        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  parade-ground  not  being  large  enough  to  drill  the  whole 
regiment  at  once,  the  right  and  left  wings  were  brought  on  one 
after  the  other.  The  bayonet  exercise  resembles,  in  many  re- 
spects, the  exhibitions  given  by  the  Ellsworth  Zouaves,  but  is  put 
in  a  more  serviceable  form  for  practical  use,  and  without  the  clap- 
trap additions  which  made  those  exhibitions  more  of  a  theatrical 
than  a  military  display.  The  exercise,  when  participated  in  by 
four  or  five  hundred  well-drilled  men,  is  a  splendid  sight,  and  im- 
presses even  the  unmilitary  beholder  with  the  conviction  that  the 
bayonet  is  the  best  offensive  and  defensive  weapon  in  the  world. 
A  regiment  drilled  in  its  proper  exercise  would  have  over  one 
not  thus  drilled,  supposing  the  numbers  and  bravery  of  both  to 
be  equal,  an  advantage  that  would  enable  it  to  defeat  its  oppo- 
nents with  slight  loss. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  describe  in  words  the  exercise,  but  it  may 
be  said  to  make  the  soldier  and  his  weapon  one.  It  places  him 
first  in  the  best  position  for  attack  or  defense,  and  by  a  series  of 
movements,  based  on  scientific  principles,  enables  him  to  guard 
every  exposed  part — to  throw  off  the  lunge  aimed  at  head,  breast, 
or  thigh,  and  by  a  dexterous  shortening  of  his  own  weapon  give 
the  deadly  thrust  before  his  opponent  recovers  ;  in  close  quarters 
it  enables  him  to  convert  his  gun  into  a  club  ;  and  again,  by  a 
series  of  rapid  movements,  to  act  in  front  or  rear,  to  the  right  or 
left,  and  in  retreat  or  advance.  While  it  accomplishes  all  these 
purposes,  the  exercise  develops  the  physique  of  the  soldier,  gives 
him  suppleness  and  wind*  and  a  confidence  in  himself  and  weap- 
on that  in  the  field  would  be  of  the  greatest  advantage.  After 
the  right  wing  had  been  drilled  by  Colonel  Warren,  the  left  wing 
was  put  through  the  exercise  by  Major  Hull.  Both  did  so  well 
that  it  appeared  to  the  unprofessional  spectators  that  it  would  be 
impossible  to  decide  with  which  the  greater  merit  rested.  A 
light  artillery  drill,  with  all  the  loadings,  firing,  changing  posi- 
tions, etc.,  followed  next,  and  had  time  and  opportunity  allowed, 
we  might  have  had  drill  with  the  heavy  guns,  in  the  management 
of  which  the  regiment  have  also  been  instructed. 

"After  the  drill,  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  a  number  of 
the  ladies,  and  the  friends  of  the  officers,  were  hospitably  enter- 
tained in  headquarters. 


Life  at  Baltimore.  143 

"  Not  the  least  pleasant  feature  of  the  occasion  was  the  fine 
music  of  the  band.  Under  its  present  leader,  Mr.  Wallace,  it  has 
been  brought  up  to  a  high  degree  of  excellence. 

"As  for  the  drum  corps,  it  is  the  drum  corps,  and  Drum-Major 
Smith  is  par  excellence  the  Drum-Major. 

"  The  display  ended  with  the  usual  evening  dress  parade, 
Lieut.-Col.  Hiram  Duryea  commanding.  Capt.  Winslow  acted 
as  Officer  of  the  Day/' 

On  Sunday,  the  pth,  the  resignations  of  Lieuts.  C.  W. 
Wright  and  Dunham  were  read  off  as  accepted.  Col.  War- 
ren was  absent,  and  Lieut.-Col.  Hiram  Duryea  was  in  com- 
mand. Miss  Mitchell,  the  actress,  visited  the  fort  to  witness 
the  dress  parade. 

On  Friday,  the  i4th,  a  ball  was  given  at  the  officers' 
quarters,  which  did  not  terminate  till  daybreak.  It  was  a 
select  affair;  all  the  guests  came  and  went  in  carriages.  The 
men  during  its  progress  were  restricted  to  their  own  quarters. 

Immediately  after  breakfast,  on  Wednesday,  the  igth,  four 
companies,  B,  E,  G,  and  — ,  were  ordered  to  be  ready  in  heavy 
marching  order,  and  in  the  afternoon  they  fell  in  line  on 
the  parade-ground,  and  were  marched  through  a  heavy  rain- 
storm to  Fort  Marshall,  which  was  about  five  miles  by  land 
from  Fort  Federal  Hill.  It  was  a  similar  structure,  but  did 
•not  cover  as  much  ground,  but  mounted  thirty-three  heavy 
guns.  It  was  situated  on  a  high,  bare  hill,  about  two  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  It  was  about  half  a 
mile  from  the  limits  of  the  city,  on  the  side  of  the  harbor 
opposite  to  Fort  McHenry,  and  commanded  that  post. 

The  detachment  arrived  about  dusk,  wet  through,  covered 
with  mud,  hungry,  and  with  nothing  to  eat.  Coffee,  which 
was  our  only  supply,  was  served  about  9  P.M. 

Saturday,  Feb.  22d,  being  the  anniversary  of  WASHING- 
TON'S BIRTHDAY,  all  the  forts  fired  salutes  in  honor  of  the 
day.  In  the  afternoon  a  grand  parade  of  the  military  was 
made  through  the  city.  The  Fifth  was  the  principal  attrac- 


144        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

tion,  and  their  bayonet  exercise  was  viewed  by  thousands  of 
spectators.  Everybody  seemed  to  observe  the  day  in  a  very 
patriotic  manner,  except  the  secession  element,  of  which  there 
was  a  large  representation  yet  in  the  city,  plotting  their 
schemes  of  rebellion  in  secret.  They  were  no  worse  than 
the  "copperheads"  in  the  North,  who,  like  the  reptile  they 
represent,  were  ready  to  sting  their  protectors  behind  their 
backs — the  men  who  were  risking  their  lives  to  defend 
their  property,  and  to  keep  from  coming  true  the  prophecy 
of  their  South  Carolina/rzVw^,  "  The  grass  will  grow  in  the 
streets  of  New  York." 

One  evening  two  or  three  of  the  boys,  while  out  in  the 
city,  were  in  a  store  where  they  found  a  brace  of  secession- 
ists, who  were  very  open  in  their  expressions  against  the 
Government  and  its  hirelings.  No  notice  was  taken  of  them 
or  their  conversation  for  some  time,  but  it  was  continued  so, 
long  that  one  of  the  boys  became  impatient,  and  turning 
around,  he  suddenly  caught  the  man  nearest  him  by  the  neck, 
and  run  him  out  of  the  place,  vigorously  applying  his  boot 
lest  he  might  think  it  was  only  a  joke.  Before  he  was  really 
sensible  of  the  ignominious  situation  in  which  he  was  placed, 
he  found  himself  lying  in  the  street,  when  his  companion  con- 
cluded it  was  prudent  to  retire,  and  slunk  out.  Our  boys 
waited  some  time,  but  they  did  not  come  back  to  wreak 
their  vengeance  on  "  Lincoln's  hirelings." 

A  grand  ball  was  held  on  the  evening  of  Monday,  the  24th, 
in  the  city,  at  which  were  present  the  Mayor  and  Common 
Council,  General  Dix,  and  many  distinguished  people.  By 
request,  one  of  the  events  of  the  evening  was  an  exhibition 
of  the  bayonet  exercise  by  a  detail  from  the  Zouaves. 

The  detachment  from  the  Fifth  sent  to  Fort  Marshall  under 
command  of  Lieut. -Colonel  Duryea,  who  was  a  very  severe 
disciplinarian,  was  kept  constantly  at  fatigue  duty  or  on  drill. 

On  Friday,  March  yth,  the  whole  regiment  was  called  out 
in  compliance  with  the  following  General  Order  : 


Life  at  Baltimore.  145 

HEADQUARTERS,  DIVISION,       ) 
BALTIMORE,  Md.,  March  5,  1862.  f 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  6. 

I.  The  several  regiments  and  commands  of  this  division  in  the 
vicinity  of  Baltimore,  except  those  guarding  the  railroads,  will  be 
paraded  at  Fort  McHenry  at  12^  o'clock  P.M.,  on  Friday,  the 
7th  inst.,  for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  the  execution  of  Private 
Joseph  Kuhns,  2d  Maryland  Volunteers,  who  was  found  guilty 
and  sentenced  to  be  hung  by  the  neck  until  he  be  dead,  by  a 
general  court-martial,  for  the  capital  crime  of  shooting  to  death, 
without  provocation,  his  superior  officer,  Second  Lieutenant  J. 
Davis  Whitson,  2d  Maryland  Volunteers 

By  command  of  Major-General  Dix. 

Official:  D.  T.  VAN  BUREN, 

WILSON  BARSTOW,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Aide-de-camp. 

The  detachment  at  Fort  Marshall,  excepting  the  camp 
guard,  returned  in  heavy  marching  order  to  Federal  Hill, 
and  then  the  regiment  marched  to  Fort  McHenry,  where 
was  assembled  the  whole  of  General  Dix's  command.  The 
troops  were  drawn  up  in  a  hollow  square,  in  the  center  of 
which  stood  a  gallows.  In  a  few  moments  a  man  walked 
up  briskly  and  mounted  the  scaffold,  and  stood  for  five  min- 
utes with  a  rope  around  his  neck,  apparently  unmoved,  be- 
fore he  was  launched  into  eternity.  Fie  was  a  private  be- 
longing to  the  2d  Maryland  Regiment.  To  avenge  a  grievous 
wrong  that  had  been  done  to  himself,  and  to  one  who  was 
clear  to  him,  he  had  sworn  vengeance  against  a  Lieutenant 
of  the  company  to  which  he  belonged.  Accordingly,  one 
evening  when  his  regiment  was  drawn  up  on  parade,  he 
stepped  out  of  the  ranks,  leveled  his  musket,  and  deliberately 
shooting  the  officer,  who  fell  dead  on  the  spot,  he  threw 
down  his  piece  and  gave  himself  up,  with  the  remark  that  he. 
was  satisfied. 


146        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

It  was  necessary,  for  the  sake  of  military  discipline,  and 
as  an  example  to  others,  that  he  should  die. 

After  the  regiment  returned  to  Federal  Hill  it  was  obliged 
to  supplement  the  execution  with  other  disagreeable  duty  in 
the  cases  of  several  of  its  own  members.  After  being  drawn 
up  in  line,  six  men  who  had  been  lying  in  irons  in  the  guard- 
house for  several  months,  were  marched  before  them,  having 
one  side  of  their  heads  shaved,  dressed  in  the  most  ragged 
and  wretched  suits  of  citizens'  dress  that  could  be  obtained. 
It  was  a  painful  and  degrading  sight.  Their  heads  hung 
down  like  felons,  with  the  guard  behind  and  before  at  charge 
and  reversed  bayonets  respectively,  and  drum  and  fife  play- 
ing the  "  Rogue's  March."  But  this  was  not  all ;  some  of 
them  were  to  be  sent  to  the  Washington  Penitentiary  to 
serve  out  terms  varying  from  six  to  twelve  months,  and  one 
of  them  to  the  Dry  Tortugas.  They  also  forfeited  all  pay 
and  allowances  due,  or  that  would  become  due,  to  them. 
Several  others  were  waiting  similar  penalties,  who  had  been 
lying  in  irons  for  several  months.  These  unfortunate  men 
had  violated  the  military  laws  so  often,  proved  so  incorrigible, 
that  it  became  necessary  to  inflict  the  severest  punishment 
known  to  the  service. 

Just  after  dinner,  on  Sunday,  the  pth  of  March,  there  was 
great  activity  in  the  fort ;  men  were  ordered  to  fall  in  with 
spades  and  picks,  and  were  put  at  work  strengthening  the 
fort  on  the  water-side  ;  others  were  drilling  at  the  heavy 
guns  and  the  ammunition  was  inspected.  Information  had 
reached  headquarters  that  the  Confederate  ram  Merrimac 
had  run  the  blockade,  in  which  event  it  was  expected  that 
the  first  place  she  would  visit  would  be  the  flourishing  city 
of  Baltimore.  At  Fort  Marshall  the  men  worked  all  night 
strengthening  the  banks  and  shifting  all  the  heaviest  guns 
from  the  land-side  to  the  water-fronts  of  the  fort.  It  was 
laborious  work,  the  guns  weighing  four  or  five  tons  each  ; 
ammunition  was  arriving  all  night,  and  the  next  day  details 


Life  at  Baltimore.  147 

were  employed  in  filling  shell,  and  oiling  the  wheels  and 
screw-levers  of  the  guns  and  carriages.  The  men  were  as- 
signed their  posts  of  duty,  to  which  they  were  to  repair  at 
the  first  alarm-roll  of  the  drum  ;  and  Company  K,  from  Fed- 
eral Hill,  and  several  companies  of  the  T7th  Massachusetts 
Regiment,  were  sent  in  as  reinforcements.  All  kinds  of 
rumors  were  afloat — one  to  the  effect  that  General  Banks 
had  been  defeated  and  the  enemy  were  marching  on  Balti- 
more. It  appeared  certain,  in  any  event,  that  something 
important  had  occurred,  and  all  were  rejoiced  when  the 
news  came  that  the  "Cheese-box"  had  defeated  the  Mer- 
rimac.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  they  were  disappointed 
when  it  was  realized  that  they  were  not  to  try  their  guns  on 
the  enemy. 

On  Tuesday,  the  25th,  the  regiment  was  reviewed  by  Gen- 
eral A.  Duryee,  at  his  request,  and  he  took  leave  of  it,  his 
brigade  having  been  ordered  to  Washington.  A  Baltimore 
journal  of  the  25th,  announced  the  event  as  follows  : 

"About  ii  o'clock  this  morning  a  large  concourse  of  people 
assembled  on  Broadway  near  Baltimore  Street,  on  what  is  known 
as  '  Fairmount  Hill/  to  witness  a  dress  parade  of  the  5th  New 
York  Regiment,  Colonel  Warren  (DurySe's  Zouaves).  A  hollow 
square  was  formed  of  pickets,  when  the  regiment  proceeded  to  exe- 
cute their  peculiarly  beautiful  drill,  which  was  gone  through  with  in 
a  most  creditable  manner.  The  bayonet  exercise  elicited  the  warm- 
est applause  from  the  spectators,  and  was  certainly  as  near  perfec- 
tion as  it  can  well  be  brought.  The  regiment  has  been  stationed 
for  several  months  at  Federal  Hill,  and  by  their  constant  drill 
practice,  have  obtained  the  reputation  of  being  the  best  drilled 
regiment  in  the  service,  which  they  certainly  merit.  The  evolu- 
tions in  double-quick  time  this  morning  attracted  great  attention, 
and  whilst  it  was  very  exciting,  it  was  novel  and  interesting.  A 
large  force  of  police  was  on  hand,  who  kept  down  all  excitement 
and  difficulty." 

The  days  passed  on  in  the  usual  manner,  when  a  nimor  was 


148         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

heard,  at  the  close  of  the  month,  that  the  regiment  had  been 
ordered  to  Fortress  Monroe,  and  all  appearances  indicated 
a  move  in  some  direction.  The  detachment  from  Fort 
Marshall  returned  on  the  afternoon  of  Thursday,  the  27th, 
and  all  were  on  the  alert.  The  rumor  was  confirmed.  It 
was  announced  officially  that  the  regiment  was  destined  for 
Fortress  Monroe,  to  join  General  McClellan's  army,  now 
moving  by  vessels  to  Old  Point  Comfort.  There  was  much 
joy  and  excitement  occasioned  by  the  tidings. 

All  was  bustle  and  confusion  ;  the  men  talked  like  bed- 
lamites, and  a  spectator  would  think,  from  the  pleasure  ex- 
pressed by  their  countenances,  that  they  were  ordered  to 
New  York,  instead  of  to  the  front,  to  enter  on  an  active  cam- 
paign, where  they  could  expect  nothing  but  hard  usage, 
privations,  and  dangers.  Officers  and  privates  all  felt  a 
pride  in  their  regiment,  and  were  determined  to  keep  up  its 
good  name  in  whatever  position  it  might  be  placed. 

It  was  determined  to  give  a  farewell  entertainment,  to  be 
held  in  the  fort,  the  preparations  for  which  had  been  in  the 
hands  of  a  committee  for  some  time,  in-  anticipation  of  a 
change  of  base.  The  programme  was  as  follows  : 

THE  GRAND  FAREWELL  FESTIVAL 

BY  THE 

FIFTH   REGIMENT,    NEW   YORK   ZOUAVES, 

AT 

FORT   FEDERAL   HILL, 
O n    Fr i day    Evening,    M ar ch  28,    1862. 

CONSISTING  OF  A  FIRST-CLASS 

CONCERT   OF   CHORUSES,   GLEES,   AND  SOLOS, 

COMIC   AND    SENTIMENTAL. 

Choice  Selections  from  the  Standard  and  Local  Drama — both 

Tragic  and  Comic,  together  with  a  variety  of  Select 

and  Instrumental  Music  by  the 


Life  at  Baltimore.  149 

BAND    OF   THE    REGIMENT. 

The  whole  under  the  direction  of 

MR.  FREDERICK  ROUSE,  COMPANY  F. 


STAGE  MANAGER W.  R.  Bailey,  Co.  A. 

SCENIC  ARTIST Wm.  Mcllvame,  Co.  A. 

MUSICAL  DIRECTOR E.  N.  Bull,  Co.  E. 

TREASURER J.  H.  Pierce,  Co.  D. 

ADMITTANCE    FREE. 


PROGRAMME. 

PART   I. 

GRAND  OVERTURE $th  Regt.  Band. 

OPENING  CHORUS $th  Regt.  Glee  Club. 

COMIC  SONG Brown,  Co.  F. 

BALLAD Carroll,  Co.  E. 

DANCE Tucker,  Co.  H. 

SONG Bailey,  Co.  A. 

SCENE  FROM  TOODLES Dobbs,  Co.  H. 

BALLAD Collins,  Co.  B. 

DRAMATIC  READINGS Southwick,  Co.  F. 

MOCKING-BIRD  SONG,  with  Imitations. .  .Bull 6-»  Hern,  Co.  E. 

COMIC  SONG Sapher,  Co.  B. 

BALLAD  Tierney,  Co.  A. 

GROUND  AND  LOFTY  TUMBLING Leddy,  Drum  Corps. 

SONG Matthews,  Co.  D. 

DANCE Murphy,  Co.  F. 

BALLAD Mulligan,  Co.  I. 

PART  II. 

OPERATIC  SELECTION $th  Regt.  Band. 

FAVORITE  GLEE yh  Regt.  Glee  Club. 

COMIC  DUET Carroll  &+  Mathews,  Co.  E. 

BALLAD Verney,  Drum  Corps. 

DRAMATIC  READINGS Southwick  &>  Rouse,  Co.  F. 


150        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

COMIC  SONG Bailey,  Co.  A. 

BALLAD  Williams,  Drum  Corps. 

DANCE Clark,  Drum  Corps. 

COMIC  SONG Sapher,  Co.  B. 

DRAMATIC  READINGS Shejfrey,  Co.  K. 

COMIC  SONG Brown,  Co.  F. 

BALLAD Tierney,  Co.  A. 

COMIC  SONG Carroll,  Co.  E. 

BALLAD Bull,  Co.  E. 

COMIC  SONG Rouse,  Co.  F. 

BALLAD Mulligan,  Co.  I. 

DONNYBROOK  SCENE Company. 


During  the  intermission  between  the  parts,  by  particular  request,  the 

GLADIATORIAL  AND  SCIENTIFIC  DISPLAY  OF  MUSCLE 

will  be  repeated. 


To  conclude  with  the  National  Song  and  Chorus  of  the 

"RED,   WHITE,    AND   BLUE." 

By  the  entire  Company  and  Audience. 

The  performance  passed  off  with  great  eclat,  notwithstand- 
ing some  things  occurred  that  were  not  down  on  the  bills, 
but  they  rather  added  to  the  enjoyment  instead  of  marring 
it.  At  one  time,  when  one  of  the  men  was  performing  on  a 
banjo,  the  floor  of  the  staging  gave  way,  but  the  performer 
was  undisturbed,  landed  erect  on  his  feet,  and  continued  his 
playing  amid  the  wreck,  which  elicited  much  applause  and 
laughter,  for  the  break-down  was  occasioned  by  the  mis- 
chievous "  Butch  "  Sapher,  who  had  crawled  under  the  stag- 
ing and  upset  one  of  the  wooden  horses  on  which  it  was 
supported. 

Sunday,  March  3oth,  the  regiment  fell  into  line  on  the 
parade-ground  inside  of  the  fort.  It  was  raining  hard,  and 
every  one  looked  sad.  The  men  felt  as  if  they  were  leaving 


Life  at  Baltimore.  151 

home,  as  they  had  made  many  acquaintances  and  won  many 
friends  in  Baltimore.  We  were  relieved  by  the  3d  New 
York,  who  were  to  take  the  place  of  the  Fifth,  and  to  them 
we  cheerfully  surrendered  our  lofty  position.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  rain,  the  fort  was  crowded  with  friends,  all  looking 
very  sorrowful,  and  some  of  them  pressed  the  men  to  take 
money  for  future  wants.  Finally  the  order  to  march  was 
given,  and  the  men  stepped  off.  They  had  buckled  on  their 
armor,  and  were  marching  forth  to  join  that  immense  armed 
host  which  had  been  assembling  and  preparing  for  months 
to  hurl  themselves  against  the  enemies  who  would  disunite  a 
free  and  happy  people,  and  deluge  our  fair  land  in  blood. 

As  the  Zouaves  marched  through  Baltimore  Street  in  the 
rain,  the  band  playing  "  The  girl  I  left  behind  me,"  they 
received  an  ovation  at  every  step ;  the  street  was  crowded 
with  men, .women,  and  children;  the  windows  of  the  houses 
were  full,  the  men  cheered,  and  the  ladies  waved  handker- 
chiefs and  flags.  But  the  hearts  of  the  men  told  them  it 
was  no  holiday  parade ;  for  many  of  them  were  bidding 
farewell  not  only  to  a  friend,  but  to  one  where  there  was  a 
stronger  tie,  for  some  had  found  partners  for  life  among  the 
fair  sex ;  and  there  were  others  to  whom  the  plighted  troth 
had  been  given,  and  they  were  leaving  those  they  should, 
perchance,  never  see  again. 

The  scene  was  an  impressive  one  ;  the  Zouaves  ever  and 
anon  kissed  their  hand  to  some  fair  friend,  or  nodded  adieu 
to  some  male  acquaintance,  who  were  recognized  in  the 
crowd  of  spectators,  and  were  saluted  in  return  ;  the  women 
wept,  and  the  men  cried,  "  Good-bye  !  good-bye  !  God  bless 
you ! "  Eight  months  before  they  had  made  their  entrance 
among  strangers,  with  the  mailed  hand,  to  stand  guard  at 
their  very  doors ;  they  were  now  taking  their  departure  as 
friends,  bound  with  ties  which  should  be  surrendered  only 
by  death. 

Thus  they  marched,  about  nine  hundred  strong,  through 


152       ^ Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  crowded  streets  to  the  wharf,  and  embarked  on  the 
steamship  S.  jR.  Spaulding  at  4  P.M.,  and  bore  away  amid 
the  applause  of  thousands  ;  the  Zouaves  mounted  the  rigging 
and  highest  spars,  and  waved  their  turbans  with  wild  huzzas. 
The  rain  had  ceased,  and  the  sun  shone  brilliantly  on  the 
scene ;  the  piers  were  full  of  people,  many  of  whom  were 
ladies,  who  stood  wherever  they  could  obtain  a  foothold, 
waving  their  handkerchiefs,  and  there  were  countless  num- 
bers of  small  boats,  with  their  living  freight,  gliding  about  in 
the  stream.  The  3d  New  York,  on  Federal  Hill,  mounted 
the  ramparts  of  the  fort,  and  added  their  cheers  to  the 
general  leave-taking.  The  sailors  on  the  United  States  gun- 
boats and  sloops  of  war  in  the  harbor  manned  the  rigging 
and  united  their  cheers  with  the  rest.  As  they  steamed  by 
Fort  McHenry  they  received  their  last  cheers  from  the  4th 
Regiment  (Scott  Life-Guard)  and  the  regulars  ;  beyond  lay 
the  broad  Chesapeake  Bay. 

The  following  verses  on   the  occasion  were   written  by 
MIRON  WINSLOW,  of  Company  E  : 

FAREWELL  TO   BALTIMORE. 

Farewell,  Queenly  City  ! 

Before  we  depart, 
I  would  bid  thee  farewell 

From  the  depths  of  my  heart ; 
With  gratitude  fervent, 

Our  bosoms  expand 
At  thought  of  the  kindness 

Received  from  thy  hand. 

With  our  ardent  desire 

To  join  in  the  strife,  * 

And  our  longing  to  live 
A  more  soldierly  life, 

Is  blended  the  sadness 
That  parting  still  lends  ; 


Life  at  Baltimore.  153 

We  came  to  thee  strangers, 
You  received  us  as  friends. 


Our  country  is  calling ; 

We  eagerly  go, 
To  meet  with  new  vigor 

The  traitorous  foe  ;  _ 
But  where'er  we  may  be, 

Whatever  our  lot, 
Thy  kindness  and  friendship 

Shall  ne'er  be  forgot. 

Farewell,  Queenly  City ! 

Thou'rt  lost  to  our  sight ; 
Thy  dim  shores  are  wrapped 

In  the  mantle  of  night ; 
But  memory  still 

Weaves  its  magical  spell, 
And  our  hearts  beat  response 

As  we  bid  thee  farewell ! 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE   PENINSULAR  CAMPAIGN— YORKTOWN. 

THE  TRIP  TO  VIRGINIA— SCENE  AT  HAMPTON  ROADS— CHANGES— CAMP  MISERY 
— PEEP  AT  BIG  BETHEL— PRIME  RATIONS  FOR  Six — N.  Y.  Times  CORRE- 
SPONDENT—GEN. McCLELLAN's  REPORT — CAMP  SCOTT— CORDUROY  AND  DlTCH 

— HEADQUARTERS — CALIFORNIA  JACK — THE  4TH  MICHIGAN — FIRST  DEATH  BY 
SICKNESS— GEN.  MCCLELLAN'S  HEADQUARTERS— AN  OFFICER'S  LETTER- 
LETTER  FROM  A  PRIVATE— FIRE  AND  FUN  IN  THE  DARK— A  STRATEGIC  PIG 
— SIEGE  PREPARATIONS— BATTERY  No.  i— GEN.  BARRY'S  LETTER — CAMP  WAR- 
REN— AFTER  THE  BATTLE — CAMP  BUCHANAN — A  PROMISE  OF  BATTLE — 
MARCH  IN  THE  SHADOWS— MAGNIFICENT  SPECTACLE — A  NIGHT  VIEW  OF 
THE  CAMP  AT  PAMUNKEY  RIVER— DROOPING  SKIES  AND  A  DRIPPING  ARMY 
—REVIEW  BY  HON.  WM.  H.  SEWARD— DESERTED  TERRITORY— NEARING  THE 
WHITE  HOUSE — STRAGGLERS — "DR."  WARREN  AND  HIS  "PILLS" — THE  SICK- 
LIST — THE  COLONEL'S  ORDER  AND  A  DONKEY'S  REPLY. 

Monday,  March  31,  1862. — Out  of  Maryland  and  into 
the  waters  of  the  Old  Dominion.  The  steamer  was  a 
staunch  vessel,  and  sailed  well,  and  our  passage  was  made  in 
good  time,  and  would  have  been  much  more  pleasant 
but  for  the  inconvenience  to  which  men  are  subject  in  an 
overcrowded  ship.  We  were  closely  packed  in  the  holds 
and  on  deck,  without  sufficient  room  ;  only  a  part  could  lie 
down,  those  who  enjoyed  that  luxury  being  obliged  to  use 
the  decks,  and  sandwiching  themselves  between  cordage  and 
comrades,  and  remain  in  one  position  until  they  were  satis- 
fied. The  darkness  between  decks  added  to  the  discomfort 
of  the  trip. 

As  the  ship  sailed  into  Hampton  Roads-the  scene  was  en- 
livening in  the  extreme ;  it  seemed  to  us  that  we  were  near- 
ing  a  large  seaport.  The  offing  was  crowded  with  transports, 
thronged  with  soldiers,  horses,  stores,  artillery,  and  every- 
thing that  is  required  for  a  large  army.  The  Monitor  was 
pointed  out,  but  one  could  scarcely  believe  that  such  an  in- 
(154) 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.        155 

significant-looking  affair — for  vessel  it  could  hardly  be  called 
— caused  the  rebel  monster,  the  Merrimac,  to  skulk  back 
into  the  port  from  which  she  had  sailed  so  defiantly. 

The  regiment  landed  in  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  April  ist, 
and  marched  about  two  miles  beyond  Hampton  and  bivou- 
acked. It  was  almost  impossible  to  recognize  this  locality 
as  the  same  which  the  command  had  left  eight  months  be- 
fore. There  was  not  a  tree,  fence,  or  landmark  left,  with 
the  exception  of  the  seminary,  and  stretching  miles  beyond 
was  an  immense  camp.  There  appeared  to.  be  no  limit  to 
the  artillery,  cavalry,  and  infantry,  moving  day  and  night. 
We  remained  in  this  camp  five  days,  bivouacking  at  night, 
not  yet  being  supplied  with  tents.  The  men  called  this 
stopping-place  "  Camp  Misery,"  for  the  reason  that  the  ra- 
tions were  very  short,  while  a  cold  north-east  rain-storm, 
which  continued  day  and  night,  during  the  second,  third, 
and  fourth  days,  made  it  impossible  to  keep  our  clothing 
dry.  The  fires  would  not  burn,  and  the  smoke  hung  close  to 
the  ground  like  a  thick  cloud,  affecting  the  eyes,  and  sur- 
rounding us  with  a  suffocating  atmosphere.  On  the  fifth 
day  the  sky  cleared,  and  the  air  was  warm,  but  the  roads 
were  in  a  very  bad  condition. 

We  left  camp  at  6.30  A.M.  on  Tuesday,  April  6th,  without 
any  regret,  and  marched  through  mud  a  distance  of  twenty 
miles  toward  Yorktown,  passing  through  Big  Bethel,  which 
was  an  interesting  spot  to  the  old  members  of  the  regiment, 
as  the  various  objects  reminded  them  of  their  previous  en- 
counter with  the  enemy.  We  remained  in  "  Camp  Starva- 
tion "  the  7th,  8th,  gth,  and  joth,  living  on  one  or  two  crackers 
a  day.  Heavy  details  were  sent  out  every  day  to  work  on 
the  roads,  and  help  the  wagons  along  the  muddy  highway. 

The  sojourn  here  was  very  disagreeable,  as  it  rained  the 
greater  part  of  the  time,  and  we  had  no  shelter  except  such 
as  could  be  improvised  from  "  ponchos,"  or  branches  of 
trees  plastered  over  with  mud.  There  were,  however,  about 


156        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

half  a  dozen  men,  composing  two  messes,  that  had  an  abun- 
dance to  eat  and  to  spare  ;  one  of  each  having  dropped 
out  from  a  fatigue  party,  and  hidden  in  the  woods  until  the 
coast  was  clear,  and  then  went  on  a  foraging  expedition  and 
struck  a  placer.  They  returned  to  the  vicinity  of  the  camp, 
and  hid  their  spoils  in  the  bushes  until  night,  when  they 
brought  in  to  their  starving  messmates  one  pail  of  molasses, 
about  two  pounds  of  sugar,  haversacks  full  of  the  best  of  pilot 
biscuit,  half  a  pig,  one  sugar-cured  ham,  two  pounds  of  the 
best  smoking  tobacco,  some  fresh  beef,  and  a  canteen  of  peach 
brandy !  It  was  a  royal  banquet !  How  and  where  they 
made  their  levy  it  would  take  too  long  to  relate ;  suffice  it 
to  say  that  they  came  very  near  being  ambushed  by  guerrillas 
and  losing  their  lives. 

The  regiment  was  singled  out  while  in  this  camp  from  the 
rest  of  the  volunteers,  and  attached  to  General  Sykes' 
brigade  of  regulars,  with  which  corps  they  remained  through 
their  term  of  service.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  the  reader 
to  know  how  this  was  brought  about.  The  Fifth  not  being  en- 
camped in  a  situation  favorable  for  exercise  in  drill,  Colonel 
Warren  asked  permission  of  General  Sykes  to  give  his  regi- 
ment a  drill  on  the  field  used  by  the  regulars.  The  request 
was  granted,  and  they  marched  out  and  went  through  all  the 
most  complicated  battalion  movements  in  quick  and  double- 
quick  with  so  much  spirit  and  precision,  that  we  soon  had  a 
large  audience  of  the  regulars,  upon  whom  it  made  a  very 
favorable  impression.  General  Sykes  himself  was  viewing  it 
from  his  tent.  Subsequently  Colonel  Warren's  request  to 
move  his  camp  nearer  the  regulars,  which  had  been  pre- 
viously denied,  was  allowed,  and  we  were  permitted  to  draw 
rations  from  his  Commissary. 

The  New  York  Times  correspondent  said  : 

"  The  5th  New  York  Regiment,  Duryee's  Zouaves,  are  con- 
sidered the  finest  drilled  regiment  in  the  army  of  Yqrktown,  and 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.        157 

have  been  assigned  the  post  of  honor,  being  the  only  volunteer 
regiment  with  the  regulars."* 

Another  journal  spoke  as  follows  : 

"  Constant  drill  at  the  artillery,  bayonet,  and  rifle,  together 
with  recitations  for  officers  and  soldiers  in  the  regulations  of  the 
army  tactics — both  artillery  and  infantry — soon  brought  this 
body  of  soldiers  to  the  highest  state  of  perfection,  so  that  on  the 
3oth  day  of  March,  1862,  when  leaving  Baltimore  and  joining  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  on  the  Peninsula,  the  honor  of  being 
assigned  to  duty  with  the  regulars  was  granted  to  this  regiment, 
and  the  '  red  legs/  as  they  were  called,  were  not  slow  in  con- 
vincing the  regular  infantry  that  they  were  not  to  be  outdone 
by  them,  either  in  drill,  marching,  or  under  fire.  This  reputa- 
tion gained  has  always  been  maintained  by  them  while  in  the. 
field." 

The  Prince  de  Joinville,t  in  his  comments  on  the  volun- 
teer organizations,  makes  special  mention  of  the  regiment 
as  follows  : 

"  Thus,  a  young  Lieutenant  of  Engineers,  named  Warren,  was 
marvelously  successful  with  the  $th  New  York  Regiment,  of 
which  he  was  Colonel.  This  regiment  served  as  engineers  and 
artillery  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  and  having  again  become  infan- 
try, conducted  itself  like  the  most  veteran  troops  at  the  battles  of 
the  Chickahominy,  where  it  lost  half  of  its  force.  And  yet  these 


*  ''  McClellan's  Report  and  Campaigns"  (p.  54).  Regulars — u  The  advantage  of 
such  a  body  of  troops  at  a  critical  moment,  especially  in  an  army  constituted  mainly 
of  new  levies,  imperfectly  disciplined,  has  been  frequently  illustrated  in  military  his- 
tory, and  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  country  at  the  first  battle  of  Manassas. 
I  have  not  been  disappointed  in  the  estimate  formed  of  the  value  of  these  troops — I 
have  always  found  them  to  be  relied  on  ;  whenever- they  have  been  brought  under 
fire,  they  have  shown  the  utmost  gallantry  and  tenacity.  On  the  soth  of  April,  1862, 
they  numbered  4,603  men.  On  the  ijth  of  May  they  were  assigned  to  General 
Porter's  corps  for  organization  as  a  division,  with  the  5th  Regiment  of  New  York 
Volunteers,  which  joined  May  4th,  and  the  loth  New  York  Volunteers,  which 
joined  subsequently.  They  remained  from  the  commencement  under  the  command 
of  Brigadier-General  George  Sykes,  Major  3d  Infantry,  United  States  Army." 

t  "  The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  its  Organization,  its  Commander,  and  its  Cam- 
paign." By  the  Prince  de  Joinville.  Translated  from  the  French,  with  Notes  by 
William  Henry  Hurlbert. 


153         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

were  volunteers,  but  they  felt  the  knowledge  and  superiority  of 
their  chief." 


We  left  camp  about  10  A.M.  on  Friday,  the  nth  of  April, 
inarched  three  miles  over  very  bad  roads  toward  Yorktown, 
and  went  into  bivouac  at  Camp  Winfield  Scott,  within  two 
miles  and  a  half  of  that  historical  place.  It  is  proper  to 
give  the  reason  why  the  army  did  not  move  faster  after  as- 
sembling at  Old  Point.  The  only  road  was  in  a  very  bad 
state,  in  consequence  of  the  frequent  rains,  and  the  numer- 
ous ditches  and  pits,  men  sometimes  being  obliged  to  wade 
up  to  their  knees  in  mud  and  water.  It  was  necessary  to  re- 
pair and  corduroy  it  in  many  places,  to  enable  the  miles  of 
wagons,  ambulances,  and  artillery  to  pass  over  it.  It  should 
also  be  remembered  that  each  man  carried  about  fifty 
pounds  weight  in  addition  to  the  clothing  they  had  on  their 
persons,  as  they  were  in  heavy  marching  order.  Then,  after 
a  day's  march,  where  were  the  means,  not  to  say  comforts, 
which  would  give  a  soldier  the  necessary  rest  and  recupera- 
tion ?  If  not  ordered  off  on  guard,  a  soldier  will  make  his 
bed  on  the  wet  ground,  his  knapsack  his  pillow,  and  a 
blanket  for  his  covering ;  his  supper  is  a  hard  cracker  or 
two  and  a  piece  of  fat  salt  pork,  often  eaten  without  being 
cooked,  and  thankful  oftentimes  to  get  that.  If  he  needs  a  fire 
he  must  go  to  the  woods  and  cut  down  the  timber ;  or,  if  al- 
ready cut,  haul  it  for  some  distance  over  ditches  and  fields,  to 
his  stopping  place.  Then,  after  considerable  perseverance, 
he  may  succeed  in  getting  his  fire  to  burn,  when  he  can  have 
a  cup  of  coffee,  which  he  boils  himself  in  his  tin  cup  ;  after 
which  he  smokes  his  pipe  and  is  as  happy  as  the  case  will  al- 
low. On  such  roads  as  those  just  passed  over  by  the  army, 
the  procession  of  wagons,  miles  in  length,  could  not  make 
more  than  six  or  eight  miles  a  day,  and  the  men  were  obliged 
to  lie  by  occasionally  for  them  to  come  up  ;  hence  the  delay. 
"  Citizens"  and  "Home  Guards"  thought  we  ought  to  move 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.        159 

faster,  but  the  '-citizens"  who  had  become  soldiers  knew 
the  reasons  and  the  roads  too  well. 

On  Saturday,  the  i2th,  we  were  detached  temporarily  from 
the  brigade  under  a  special  order,  and  reported  to  General 
W.  F.  Barry,  Chief  of  Artillery.  The  officers  and  men  were 
employed  in  building  siege-works,  and  some  of  the  com- 
panies placed  on  duty  in  the  batteries  to  work  the  heavy 
guns,  and  at  the  landing  on  York  River,  transporting  and 
mounting  the  siege  guns  and  mortars.  This  duty  was  all 
performed  under  the  heavy  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery,  and 
required  nerve  as  well  as  experience  to  perfect  the  work. 

While  staying  in  this  camp  we  had  liberal  supplies,  pleas- 
ant weather,  and  good  tents.  The  troops  built  a  good  road 
to  Shipping  Point,  the  extremity  of  which  was  about  eight 
miles  from  camp,  where  the  stores  were  landed  when  brought 
up  the  York  River  from  Old  Point  Comfort.  The  men  had 
no  idle  time ;  they  were  constantly  employed  on  fatigue  duty 
of  some  kind,  making  corduroy  roads,  etc.,  and  gabions  to 
fill  with  earth  for  siege-batteries.  A  detail  of  the  Fifth  put 
up  General  McClellan's  tents  and  laid  out  the  grounds  about 
them,  and  a  detail  was  made  up  every  day  for  guard  duty  over 
his  quarters,  which  were  near  the  regimental  headquarters. 

A  continual  bombardment  was  kept  up,  and  at  almost  any 
time  of  the  night  or  day,  the  shell  of  the  enemy  could  be 
seen  bursting  in  the  air,  sometimes  appearing  to  be  directly 
overhead.  Pickets  were  shot  hourly,  and  skirmishes  between 
the  outposts  were  continually  occurring,  by  which  additions 
were  made  to  the  list  of  killed  or  wounded.  At  night  it  was 
grand  to  hear  the  roar  of  the  heavy  siege-guns,  and  listen  to 
the  rushing  shell  as  they  died  away  in  the  distance,  and 
carried  destruction  into  the  enemy's  stronghold.  California 
Jack,  the  famous  sharp-shooter,  who  was  out  at  the  front  all 
the  time  picking  off  the  enemy's  gunners,  made  a  visit  to 
camp,  being  ou.t  of  ammunition.  Capt.  Winslow  furnished 
him  with  a  liberal  supply  of  cartridges  for  his  Sharp's  rifle, 


160         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

two  of  the  companies  being  armed  with  the  same  weapon. 
He  thanked  him  and  said  he  wouldn't  waste  them,  ''  yon  bet." 

On  the  night  of  the  i7th,  the  infantry  firing  was  quite 
sharp.  It  appeared  that  the  enemy  came  out  and  attacked 
one  of  the  new  intrenchments,  and  the  4th  Michigan,  one 
of  the  finest  regiments  in  the  service,  drove  them  back  and 
took  three  hundred  prisoners.  The  men  were  ordered  to 
have  their  canteens  filled  with  water  every  night,  and  always 
one  day's  rations  on  hand,  so  as  to  be  ready  at  a  moment's 
notice. 

A  private  of  Company  E  died  of  typhoid  fever  in  the  hos- 
pital. It  was  the  first  death  from  disease  that  has  occurred 
in  the  regiment  since  its  organization,  which  was  remarkable, 
although  many  had  been  discharged  for  physical  disability, 
some  of  whom  had  subsequently  died. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  to,  and 
published  in,  the  New  York  Times  by  an  officer  of  the  5th 
Regiment  : 

CAMP  WINFIELD  SCOTT,  before  Yorktown,  Va ,  ) 
Monday,  April  21,  1862.       \ 

We  are  constantly  occupied  in  military  exercises,  in  studying 
the  tactics,  in  enforcing  or  submitting  to  the  discipline,  and  in 
performing  the  daily  duties  incident  to  our  connection  with  the 
present  movement ;  and  we  see  the  officers  and  men  of  other 
regiments  encamped  near  us  engaged  diligently  in  the  same  kind 
of  labors.  We  hear  the  booming  of  cannon  daily  on  our  right 
and  on  our  left ;  we  see  bombs  bursting  in  air,  and  varicolored 
rockets  shooting  across  the  sky;  we  see  artillery,  cavalry,  in- 
fantry proceeding  hither  and  thither  ;  we  see  aides-de-camp  gal- 
loping by  ;  we  see  balloons  ascend  and  descend  ;  we  see  baggage- 
wagons  and  ambulances  on  the  road  ;  rumors  come  to  us  of  a 
fight  in  this  or  that  part  of  the  lines,  and  beyond  this  we  know 
nothing  of  the  progress  that  is  making.  We  lie  down  on  the 
ground  at  night  prepared  to  respond  to  the  first  summons. 
Sometimes  we  are  awakened  by  the  thunders  of  artillery  and  the 
rattling  of  small  arms,  and  lie  listening  to  the  noises  of  a  deadly 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.        161 

conflict  somewhere.  We  endeavor  to  conjecture  what  corps  are 
engaged,  and  picture  to  ourselves,  as  we  follow  with  the  ear, 
the  fluctuations  of  the  strife,  "  now  high,  now  low,  like  the 
sound  of  music  which  the  wind  still  alters,"  the  scene  and  inci- 
dents of  the  fray.  Now  there  is  a  lull,  and  now  the  combat 
thickens.  For  a  while  all  is  still  as  death  ;  doubtless  our  brave 
fellows  are  advancing  to  the  charge,  and  we  strain  to  catch 
the  clash  of  steel.  Suddenly  again  comes  the  roar  of  cannon  ; 
the  battle  evidently  now  is  fiercely  raging.  Now  the  discharges 
are  less  frequent ;  a  solitary  shot  is  heard,  and  now  all  again  is 
quiet.  Which  has  won  the  victory?  Who  of  our  dearest 
friends  has  fallen  ?  We  might  not  go  forth  to  seek  him  if  we 
knew  he  was  gasping  on  the  field.  But  we  are  warriors,  not 
women.  Let  the  dead  be  buried,  and  lead  us  against  the  foe  ! 
And  so  the  soldier  gathers  his  blanket  around  him,  and  in  a 
moment  is  asleep  again.  And  with  all  this  disturbance  in  the 
distance,  no  alarm  is  sounded  in  the  camps  near  by.  No  one 
thinks  of  obeying  the  impulse  to  rush  forth  and  join  in  the  fight. 
All  await  orders,  and  when  they  come,  the  battalions  that  are 
called  for  quietly  form  in  line  and  are  marched  to  the  point 
where  one  mind  decides  that  they  are  needed.  Such  is  the  dis- 
cipline in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  attained  by  much  training 
during  the  season  of  "  inactivity,"  which  they  who  knew  not  its 
value  were  inclined  so  much  to  complain  of. 

The  5th  New  York  Zouaves,  whose  friends  at  home  will  read 
this,  are  undergoing  no  unendurable  hardships  here,  and  are 
much  happier  just  where  they  are  than  any  individual  of  them 
could  possibly  have  been  had  he  endeavored  to  content  himself 
at  home  in  a  season  in  which  his  country  called  for  his  services 
in  the  field.  And  here  we  are,  just  where  we  want  to  be,  with  a 
leader  in  whom  we  have  confidence  to  conduct  us  against  a  foe 
that  lies  immediately  before  us.  We  occupy  a  beautiful  camp- 
ing-ground near  the  marquee  of  the  Commander-in-Chief.  Our 
regiment  has  been  complimented  by  being  brigaded  with  the 
regulars — the  only  volunteer  regiment  so  honored — and  with 
them  it  constitutes  the  chosen  corps  which  General  McClellan 
keeps  always  with  him.  Brigadier-General  Sykes  is  its  com- 
mander, the  same  who,  with  1,300  regulars,  covered  the  retreat 


1 62         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

of  the  army  at  the  first  Bull  Run.  Lieutenant  J.  Howard  Wells, 
the  Quartermaster  of  the  Fifth,  has  been  transferred  to  the  regu- 
lar service.  He  now  holds  the  position  of  United  States  Com- 
missary with  the  rank  of  Captain,  and  is  stationed  at  Baltimore. 
Lieutenant  A.  L.  Thomas  is  his  successor,  and  a  very  worthy 
one  he  is. 

We  have  had  very  heavy  rains  here  recently — such  rains  as  in 
New  York  are  entirely  unknown.  The  roads  are  exceedingly  heavy. 
Those  who  sit  at  home  carping  at  delay  should  be  compelled  to 
travel  over  them  in  a  loaded  baggage-wagon  once.  They  would 
soon  get  an  idea  of  the  difficulty  of  moving  large  armies  in  a 
country  like  this,  and  in  such  a  season.  G.  C. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  home  by  the 
author,  also  tells  part  of  the  story  : 

CAMP  WINFIELD  SCOTT,  NEAR  YORKTOWN,  VA.,  ) 
5TH  REGT.,  N.  Y.  V.,  DURYEE'S  ZOUAVES, 

Monday,  April  21,  1862.  J 

We  still  remain  in  camp,  and  are  as  comfortable,  that  is,  f9r 
soldiers,  as  circumstances  will  admit.  Our  tents  are  of  good  ma- 
terial and  keep  out  the  rain,  and  the  camp  is  situated  on  rather 
high  ground,  therefore  the  water  runs  off.  To  the  south  of  our 
portion  of  the  ground  is  a  small  ravine  through  which  a  small 
stream  runs,  supplied  by  pure  springs,  from  which  we  get  plenty 
of  water  or  drinking  and  cooking  purposes.  In  the  stream  it- 
self we  wash  our  clothes  and  ourselves.  On  the  banks  above  the 
ravine  there  was  a  thick  wood  of  pine,  with  its  ever-green  foliage  ; 
elm-trees,  which  were  soon  robbed  of  their  bark  to  satisfy  the  chew- 
ing propensities  of  the  men  ;  sassafras  bushes,  the  roots  of  which 
are  pleasant  to  eat,  and  are  therefore  pulled  up  without  regard  to 
quantity  ;  but  the  wood  is  now  getting  thinner  every  day,  falling 
a  sacrifice  to  our  axes,  and  used  by  the  cooks  to  keep  up  their 
fires,  and  by  us  as  a  means  to  warm  ourselves  when  it  is  neces- 
sary. We  can  see  the  balloon  make  its  ascensions  every  day,  and 
often  hear  a  report  up  in  the  air.  We  look  up  and  see  a 
ball  of  smoke,  resembling  a  small  cloud,  which  tells  us  that  a  shell 
has  burst ;  but  it  is  of  such  frequent  occurrence  that  often  we  do 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.        163 

not  notice  it.  A  few  shells  have  landed  in  camp,  on^  of  which 
killed  a  mule  ;  another  was  filled  with  rice,  so  they  say ;  one 
fired  yesterday  cut  a  man  in  half  while  he  was  in  the  woods  ;  but 
we  are  comparatively  safe,  all  things  considered.  But  about  a 
mile  further  to  the  front  the  situation  is  different,  as  they  have 
sharp  practice  there  on  picket.  Some  of  the  companies  are  de- 
tailed in  turn  to  drill  on  the  mortars,  and  one  of  Company  C  was 
wounded  in  the  head  a  fe.w  days  ago.  We  see'very  little  of  Col- 
onel Warren  ;  during  most  of  his  time  he  is  with  General  Mc- 
Clellan  and  staff,  by  whom  he  is  highly  esteemed,  making  ob- 
servations, etc.  Many  of  the  regulars  know  him,  having  seen 
him  out  West  and  in  other  places,  before  the  war.  They  say  that 
he  understands  his  business.  We  all  like  him  as  a  man  and  a 
soldier;  he  is  strict,  but  he  knows  all  the  wants  of  a  soldier  from 
experience,  and  seldom  taxes  our  endurance  too  much. 

Our  men  are  on  details  night  and  clay,  building  batteries  and 
roads  in  every  direction  ;  one  can  not  tell  at  what  time  of  night 
he  may  be  called  up  to  shoulder  his  musket  and  march  off  on 
a  detail.  Saturday  night,  the  19th,  I  was  on  fatigue  duty;  we 
marched  about  three  miles  to  the  mouth  of  Wormley's  Creek, 
York  River,  where  they  are  putting  up  a  battery. 

Part  of  the  road  has  been  built  by  our  army,  leading  over  a 
creek  through  which  a  solid  road  has  been  built.  As  we  came 
out  of  some  woods  at  one  point  we  could  see  a  deserted  rebel 
fort  in  the  middle  of  a  swamp  to  the  right  of  the  road.  It  was 
built  square  and  in  a  substantial  manner,  with  barracks  inside  of 
it,  a  ditch  nine  feet  deep  all  around  it,  filled  with  water,  and  an 
abatis,  bushes,  and  stumps  of  trees.  Near  it  was  an  inferior 
work,  partially  masked ;  the  place  could  not  have  been  stormed. 
Further  on  we  went  through  the  camp  of  the  1st  Connecticut 
Heavy  Artillery,  a  regiment  fourteen  hundred  strong. 

We  were  astonished  to  see  the  heavy  guns  that  have  been  sent 
to  this  point  for  the  purposes  of  the  siege.  We  next  passed 
through  the  most  extensive  corn-field  that  I  ever  saw,  and  came 
to  a  large  peach-orchard,  which  was  in  full  blossom.  Emerging 
from  the  latter,  we  came  upon  the  grounds  of  one  of  the  first 
families,  on  which  was  built  a  fine  large  house,  with  a  water 
front  on  the  York  River.  The  battery  we  are  building  is  a  little 
way  from  the  house. 


164        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  owner  of  this  large  estate  is  said  to  be  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
Confederate  army  now  at  Yorktown,  and  owns  five  thousand 
acres  of  land  hereabouts.  This  place  is  certainly  the  handsomest 
one  I  have  yet  seen  in  Virginia.  I,  with  others,  was  trotted  off 
to  the  corn-field,  to  await  our  time  to  be  called  upon  to  take  our 
turn  at  the  pick  and  shovel,  which  was  to  be  in  about  four  hours. 

We  accordingly  stacked  our  arms,  and  sat  down  on  the  soft 
and  yielding  soil,  to  take  it  easy.  In  company  with  some  others, 
I  lit  my  pipe,  and  we  sat  there  talking,  trying  to  worry  through 
the  time,  but  it  was  not  long  before  a  storm,  that  had  been 
threatening  for  some  time,  burst  upon  us  in  all  its  fury.  It  was 
rough  enough  for  us,  notwithstanding  the  joke  went  around  as 
usual,  and  all  tried  to  be  merry,  but  it  was  under  aggravating 
circumstances.  We  were  obliged  to  stand  up  at  the  side  of  our 
muskets  and  take  it  all.  The  urrows  between  the  hills  of  corn 
were  filled  with  water,  and  we  were  all  soaked  through,  men 
and  muskets. 

The  latter  is  always  a  source  of  anxiety  to  a  soldier,  as  he  is 
aware  that,  with  a  wet,  rusty  weapon,  he  would  stand  a  poor 
chance  in  case  of  an  attack.  Finally  our  turn  came  ;  we  fell  in, 
and  were  soon  hard  at  work  in  the  mud  and  water,  with  very 
little  light,  so  as  not  to  attract  the  attention  of  Johnny  Reb.  We 
worked  about  three  hours,  and  were  relieved,  when  I,  with  some 
others,  succeeded  in  getting  into  a  sort  of  kitchen  of  the  man- 
sion ;  we  found  a  roaring  fire  in  an  old-fashioned  fire-place,  but 
every  spot  that  a  human  being  could  squeeze  into  was  occupied. 
The  boys  were  stowed  away  on  shelves  not  over  six  inches  wide, 
snoring  away  as  if  they  had  not  a  trouble  in  the  world  ;  some 
were  sitting  on  barrels,  asleep  in  the  cellar,  which  led  off  from 
the  room  ;  others  on  the  window-sill,  and  I  saw  one  fellow  trying 
to  crawl  under  a  refrigerator ;  in  fact,  it  would  have  taken  a  New 
York  detective  to  have  ferreted  them  all  out.  In  one  corner  of 
the  room  sat  H.,  looking  full  of  mischief;  he  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing spirits.  Butch,  the  "  head  devil,"  was  not  to  be  seen  ;  he 
was  doubtless  stowed  somewhere  in  a  comfortable  place,  if  there 
was  such  a  thing  to  be  found.  Fuel  becoming  short,  and  the 
boys  having  burnt  up  several  cot  bedsteads,  H.  said,  "  George, 
just  put  that  mantel-piece  on  the  fire  ;  there  are  some  more  of 
them  up-stairs,  I  will  bring  them  down."  No  sooner  said  than 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktoivn.        165 

done  ;  the  mantel-piece  threw  out  its  cheerful  blaze  on  the 
scene.  Just  then  a  crowd  of  officers  of  all  grades  filled  the  door- 
way, with  alarm  depicted  on  their  countenances,  saying  that  the 
chimney  was  on  fire.  The  boys  looked  at  one  another,  as  if  to 
say,  "  We  have  done  it  this  time."  We  did  not  care  whether 
the  whole  house  was  burned  to  ashes  or  not,  as  far  as  its  loss 
was  concerned  ;  but,  in  truth,  it  was  a  dangerous  accident,  for  the 
rebels,  guided  by  the  light,  could  have  shelled  us  easily  to  our 
great  loss.  The  chimney,  however,  was  soon  burnt  out,  and 
everything  fortunately  went  on  without  interruption. 

A  little  while  before  this,  the  innocent  H.  and  the  missing 
"  Butch  "  had  been  "  scouting  "  on  their  own  account  to  see  if 
anything  could  be  made.  They  found  a  pig-sty  with  a  squad  of 
the  boys  asleep  in  it,  but  no  genuine  pigs.  They  soon  after  dis- 
covered the  pigs  running  about  at  large.  They  ran  one  down  ; 
H.  seized  it,  and  "  Butch "  drew  his  knife  across  his  throat 
in  the  dark.  H.  loosened  his  hold,  saying,  "  He  is  a  dead 
pig,"  when  the  bristly  quadruped  made  off  on  the  "  double- 
quick."  "  Butch  "  discovered  that,  in  the  hurry  and  darkness, 
he  must  have  used  the  back  of  his  knife.  They  turned  back  to 
find  the  others,  but  they  were  all  missing. 

Trotting  along,  not  in  very  good  humor  at  the  loss  of  fresh 
meat,  "  Butch  "  spied  a  blind  horse  in  a  field.  Determined  to 
have  a  sensation  at  least,  he  drove  him  into  a  barn  where  a  lot 
of  the  boys  were  sleeping  in  the  stalls  and  on  the  floor.  Roused 
by  the  new-comer,  and  half  frightened  out  of  their  senses,  it  was 
some  time  before  they  could  believe  that  the  enemy  were  not 
upon  them,  and  that  they  were  not  all  prisoners.  This  is  the 
way  in  which  some  of  the  "  red  devils  "  amuse  themselves  at 
every  opportunity  that  is  presented  either  for  frolic  or  mischief. 

The  battery  we  were  working  on  is  one  of  great  importance  ; 
it  is  supported  by  gabions,  and  will  mount  two  two-hundred  and 
five  one-hundred-pound  Parrotts.  It  was  commenced  and  put  up 
within  two  or  three  days,  and  was  masked.  The  guns  are 
brought  up  at  night  by  a  large  truck  drawn  by  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  horses,  and  will  be  mounted  by  to-morrow.  Although  it 
has  stormed  a  cold  north-easter,  with  rain  for  two  days,  the  work 
has  been  carried  on  unceasingly,  and,  in  fact,  everybody  is  busy 
doing  something,  etc.  D. 


1 66        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  regiment  in  front  of  York- 
town,  John  G.  and  two  others  slipped  out  of  camp,  and 
went  on  a  foraging  expedition  on  their  own  account.  In 
their  rambles  they  discovered  a  barn,  under  which  a  half-grown 
hog  had  taken  refuge ;  they  tried  all  their  artful  and  win- 
ning ways  to  induce  him  to  come  out,  but  he  was  evidently 
a  shrewd  pig,  as  all  their  allurements  failed,  and  only 
elicited  a  knowing  grunt.  Finally,  a  bright  idea  occurred  to 
John,  who  was  a  famous  forager.  He  went  oft,  and  soon  re- 
turned with  half  a  dozen  ears  of  corn,  one  of  which  he 
placed  about  two  feet  from  the  barn,  and  several  more  at 
intervals  of  a  few  feet  further  away.  The  trio,  armed  with 
clubs,  John  having  a  stout  whiffletree  in  one  hand  and  a 
dirk-knife  in  the  other,  took  up  strategic  positions  around 
the  corners  of  the  barn,  and  waited  patiently  for  further  de- 
velopments. 

Presently  the  pig  was  heard  approaching  the  nearest  ear 
of  corn,  with  grunts  of  satisfaction,  and  cautiously  advancing, 
seized  it,  and  retreated,  having  soon  devoured  it.  He  came 
from  his  covert  the  next  time  with  more  confidence,  and 
munched  on  the  other  ear  further  from  his  base  of  retreat ; 
and  not  seeing  an)  thing  alarming  in  the  situation,  finally 
went  for  the  others.  At  the  proper  moment  the  trio  made 
a  grand  charge  to  cut  off  the  porcine  retreat,  but  he  was  on 
the  alert,  and  retired  on  a  run.  They  threw  their  clubs  at 
him,  John  throwing  his  with  more  energy  than  skill,  which 
sent  him  sprawling  on  the  ground,  his  club  doing  more  harm 
to  the  side  of  the  barn  than  to  the  ,pig-;  but  he  scrambled 
along  on  all-fours,  and  succeeded  in  catching  his  victim  by 
the  hind  leg,  and  in  his  anxiety  to  secure  him,  commenced 
stabbing  him  in  the  only  part  of  the  animal  that  was  pre- 
sented to  his  view,  but  which  did  not  happen  to  be  a  very 
vital  one.  This-  undignified  proceeding  called  forth  from 
the  pig  a  protest  shrill  enough  to  wake  the  dead.  But  rein- 
forcements were  at  hand,  and  the  pig  was  dispatched.  He 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.        167 

was  cut  up,  skinned  and  divided,  and  John  made  for  camp 
with  his  share  of  fresh  pork  ;  but,  unluckily  for  him,  he  ran 
across  an  officer  of  the  provost-guard.  He  was  halted,  and 
asked  where  he  got  his  meat.  "  Bought  it  ;  where  do  you 
think  I  should  get  it?"  That  was  "too  thin,"  and  John 
was  put  under  arrest ;  but  soon  after  he  saw  S.  going 
by,  who  had  been  out  on  a  little  forage  for  himself,  but  was 
returning  empty-handed,  not  having  met  with  any  luck.  He 
called  to  him,  and  at  the  same  time  threw  his  meat  toward 
him  ;  the  officer  called  to  S.,  and  said  that  if  he  took 
the  meat  he  would  arrest  him  also.  But  S.  took  chances, 
grabbed  the  pork,  and  legged  it.  John  was  put  under  guard 
in  a  tent ;  but  after  half  an  hour's  detention,  seeing  an  op- 
portunity, he  crawled  out  under  the  rear  of  the  tent,  and 
made  his  way  back  to  camp.  He  did  not  eat  any  army 
rations  that  day  or  the  next,  but  ate  pork-chops  morning, 
noon,  and  night,  to  repletion,  and  thought  that  it  was  the 
sweetest  meat  that  he  had  ever  eaten,  because,  as  he  said, 
"  it  was  corn-fed." 

Tuesday,  April  22. — The  siege  operations  were  some- 
what delayed  by  the  frequent  and  heavy  rains,  but  the  prep- 
arations proceeded  with  unwearying  industry,  rain  or  shine, 
night  and  day,  without  cessation.  The  battery  No.  i,  which 
the  Fifth  and  ist  Connecticut  erected  on  the  bank  of  York 
River  at  the  mouth  of  Wormley  Creek,  in  front  of  the 
Fairnholt  House,  was  the  heaviest  mounted  of  them  all.  It 
commanded  the  water-front  of  Yorktown  and  Gloucester 
Point,  and  the  extreme  left  of  the  enemy's  massive  works. 
It  was  distant  5,000  yards  from  Gloucester;  4,800  from 
Yorktown  wharf;  4,000  from  the  center  of  Yorktown,  and 
3,800  from  the  enemy's  "big  gun."  It  was  garrisoned 
by  a  detail  from  the  ist  Connecticut  Artillery,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Burke  and  Major  Kellogg.  This  regi- 
ment was  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Tyler,  and  was  justly 
considered  one  of  the  finest  organizations  in  the  service. 


1 63         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

We  were  visited  by  a  north-east  storm  which  lasted  two 
days,  and  directly  afterward  by  a  south-easter,  which  flooded 
the  country  and  made  our  camping-ground  a  large  pond  part 
of  the  time ;  but  it  was  well  ditched  immediately  afterward, 
and  made  comfortable.  All  of  the  companies  that  could  be 
spared  were  detailed  to  corduroy  the  road  to  Shipping  Point, 
as  it  was  full  of  deep  holes,  in  some  of  which  the  mules  sunk 
breast  deep. 

On  Thursday,  the  24th,  some  of  the  companies  were  de- 
tailed to  make  gabions.  The  weather  was  cold  and  the  sky 
overcast,  and  appearances  indicated  the  approach  of  one  of 
the  usual  hard  rains.  We  were  also  short  of  rations,  and  had 
only  one  cracker  apiece,  a  cup  of  coffee  and  a  small  piece 
of  bacon  for  breakfast,  with  small  prospect  of  having  any 
hard-tack  for  dinner  or  supper. 

On  Tuesday,  the  29th,  four  companies  of  the  ist  Connect- 
icut were  relieved  from  the  duties  of  unloading  shot,  shell, 
and  mortars  at  the  landing  by  two  companies  of  the  5th  New 
York  ;  battery  No.  10  was  garrisoned  by  two  companies  of 
the  Fifth,  under  command  of  Captain  Winslow.  This  work 
was  situated  in  the  middle  of  the  first  parallel,  between 
"  Right  Branch"  and  York  River.  It  was  distant  from  the 
fort  2,550  yards  ;  from  right  redoubt,  2,150  yards  ;  from  high 
redoubt,  1,500  yards.  Its  armament  was  three  loo-pounder 
Parrotts  ;  one  3o-pounder  do. ;  and  seven  four  and  a  half 
inch  rifled  siege  guns.  One  company  of  the  Fifth  garrisoned 
battery  No.  11,  and  were  employed  in  getting  out  timber 
and  hewing  the  same  for  sea-coast  mortar-platforms.  It  was 
situated  at  the  head  of  a  ravine,  distant  from  Gloucester 
4, 700  yards;  from  York  town  wharf,  3,650  yards;  from  the 
fort,  2,600  yards  ;  from  exterior  works,  2,400  yards  ;  from 
Wynn's  Mills,  3,300  yards.  Its  armament  was  to  consist  of 
four  lo-inch  sea-coast  mortars. 

On  Wednesday,  the  3oth,  at  2  P.M.,  battery  No.  i  opened 
for  the  first  time,  and  thundered  its  eloquent  protests  against 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.        169 

treason  with  a  power  wortliy  of  the  cause  in  which  it  spoke. 
The  fire  was  first  directed  at  the  wharf  at  Yorktown,  where 
the  enemy  were  busily  engaged  in  discharging  six  or  seven 
schooners  ;  the  vessels  were  soon  driven  off.  In  all,  thirty- 
nine  shots  were  fired,  which  were  replied  to  by  the  enemy, 
twenty-three  of  whose  guns  could  be  brought  to  bear  on  this 
work  ;  but  such  was  the  engineering  skill  expended  in  its 
construction,  that  the  fire  of  the  enemy  produced  no  effect 
of  a  damaging  nature.  One  shot  per  hour  was  fired  during 
the  night,  and  morning  of  May  ist,  to  prevent  the  enemy's 
transports,  which  had  been  driven  away,  from  landing. 
Companies  G  and  F  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Chees- 
man's  Landing,  about  three  miles  from  camp,  and  assist  the 
other  two  companies  there  in  unloading  shell  and  mortars 
from  the  vessels,  for  the  purposes  of  the  siege.  One  com- 
pany was  ordered  to  garrison  battery  No.  12.  It  was  situ- 
ated on  Peninsular  plateau,  behind  "Secession  Huts,"  and  was 
distant  from  exterior  earthworks  2,000  yards ;  from  fort, 
i, 600  yards  ;  from  burnt  house,  925  yards.  Its  armament 
consisted  of  five  To-inch  and  five  8-inch  siege  mortars.  The 
enemy  kept  up  a  continuous  fire  on  the  men  in  the  trenches 
at  the  front. 

On  Friday,  the  2d,  battery  No.  13  was  garrisoned  by  two 
companies  of  the  Fifth,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Cam- 
brelling.  It  was  situated  right  of  Boyau,  in  front  of  Moore's 
house,  and  was  distant  from  Gloucester  Point  3,000  yards  ; 
from  exterior  works,  2,400  yards;  from  fort,  1,300  yards. 
Its  armament  was  six  3o-pounder  Parrotts.  Sixty  shots 
were  fired  during  the  day  from  battery  No.  i  with  effect. 
The  largest  gun  in  the  enemy's  works,  a  rifled  sixty-eight, 
exploded  on  its  twenty-eighth  discharge. 

Saturday,  the  3d,  found  the  men  still  hard  at  work  at  their 

posts  of  duty;    they  were  hungry  and   rations  were   scant. 

Thirty-four  shots  were  fired  from  No.  i  ;    two  of  the  shells, 

which  were  badly  directed,  dropped  into  battery  No.  10,  one 

8 


170         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

of  which  exploded,  fortunately  without  injury  to  any  one. 
During  the  night  the  enemy  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery, 
and  at  the  same  time  were  evacuating  their  works,  which 
were  occupied  at  daylight,  on  Sunday,  the  4th,  by  the  Union 
troops.  Some  of  the  Fifth  who  were  detailed  in  battery  No. 
13,  at  the  front,  were  among  the  first  in  the  Confederate 
works,  not  by  orders,  but  on  their  own  responsibility,  while 
the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy  were  discharging  shell  into  the 
evacuated  works.  "Brockey,"  of  Company  E,  had  hold  of 
the  halyards  that  hoisted  the  Stars  and^  Stripes  on  the  staff, 
where  a  few  hours  before  had  floated  the  rebel  ensign. 

General  Magruder  had  under  his  command  at  Yorktown, 
fifty-three  thousand  men. 

The  enemy  left  fifty-three  heavy  guns,  all  of  which  they 
had  spiked,  besides  several  that  had  burst ;  also  a  large 
quantity  of  cotton,  tobacco,  flour,  beans,  and  other  stores. 
Torpedoes  that  had  been  planted  in  the  ground  exploded, 
killing  and  wounding  a  number  of  the  soldiers. 

The  6th  day  of  May,  at  daylight,  was  the  time  that  had 
been  appointed  to  open  a  general  bombardment  of  the 
enemy's  works  from  all  the  fourteen  batteries,  and  it  was 
the  opinion  of  the  experienced  officers  of  the  engineer  and 
artillery  corps  that  the  works  would  have  been  untenable  in 
twelve  hours  thereafter. 

On  Monday,  the  5th,  the  scattered  companies  of  the 
Fifth  were  united  once  more,  and  the  regiment  received  two 
months'  pay  from  Major  Hoops,  the  Paymaster,  and  their 
clothing  account  was  settled. 

Brigadier-General  W.  F.  Barry,  Chief  of  Artillery,  says  in 
his  report : 

"  The  difficulties  attending  tne  placing  in  position  the  un- 
usually heavy  machinery  used  in  this  siege  were  very  much  in- 
creased by  the  peculiarities  of  the  soil,  and  by  the  continuance 
of  heavy  rains  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  operations. 
Oftentimes  the  heavier  guns,  in  their  transportation  of  three 


The  Peninsular  Campaign — Yorktown.       171 

miles  from  the  landing  to  the  batteries,  would  sink  in  the  quick- 
sands to  the  axletrees  of  their  traveling  carriages. 

"  The  efforts  of  the  best  trained  and  heaviest  of  the  horses  of 
the  artillery  reserve  were  of  no  avail  in  the  attempts  to  extricate 
them,  and  it  became  necessary  to  haul  this  heavy  metal  by  hand, 
the  cannoneers  working  knee  deep  in  mud  and  water.  In  these 
labors  the  officers  and  men  of  the  ist  Connecticut  Artillery  and 
the  5th  New  York  Volunteers  exhibited  extraordinary  perse- 
verance, alacrity,  and  cheerfulness.  It  finally  became  necessary 
to  construct  a  heavy  corduroy  road,  wide  enough  for  teams  to 
pass  each  other,  the  whole  distance  from  the  landing  to  the 
depot. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  beg  to  present  the  names  of  Colonel  Tyler, 
Majors  Kellogg,  Hemmingway,  and  Trumbull,  and  Captains 
Perkins  and  Burke,  ist  Connecticut  Artillery;  Major  Alexander 
Doull,  2d  New  York  Artillery  ;  Colonel  Warren,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  H.  Duryea,  Major  Hull,  and  Captain  Winslow,  5th  New 
York  Volunteers,  as  conspicuous  for  intelligence,  energy,  and 
good  conduct  under  fire." 

The  following  letter  was  read  off  at  evening  parade  : 


OFFICE  CHIEF  OF  ARTILLERY,  ARMY  OF  POTOMAC 
CAMP  WINFIELD  SCOTT,  before  Yorktown 

May 


TOMAC,  ) 

,  Va.,      V 
5,  1862.  )    . 


COLONEL  G.  K.  WARREN,  Commanding  New  York  $th  Regi- 
ment Volunteers: 

COLONEL  : — In  transmitting  to  you  the  enclosed  copy  of  Spe- 
cial Order  No.  135,  Headquarters  Army  of  Potomac,  relieving 
your  regiment  from  its  temporary  service  with  the  siege  train 
under  my  command,  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  state  that  the 
duties  which  have  devolved  upon  it,  in  landing,  transporting,  and 
placing  in  position  the  extremely  heavy  material  to  be  employed 
in  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  have  been  performed  with  cheerfulness, 
alacrity,  and  intelligence.  The  highest  praise  is  due  to  yourself, 
your  officers,  and  enlisted  men,  for  the  very  creditable  manner 
in  which  your  very  arduous  (and  at  one  or  two  points  hazardous) 
labors  have  been  performed. 


172         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Should  circumstances  again  render  siege  operations  neces- 
sary, I  shall  be  much  gratified  to  have  your  regiment  again  placed 
under  my  orders. 

I  am,  Colonel,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  F.  BARRY, 
Brig.-Gen.,  Chief  of  Artillery. 

We  received  orders  at  tattoo  to  march  at  i  A.M.,  with  four 
clays'  rations.  A  battle  was  raging,  and  heavy  and  con- 
tinuous firing  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Williamsburg. 
We  marched  at  about  midnight.  It  was  raining,  and  was 
so  dark  that  one  could  not  see  the  man  in  front.  After  pro- 
ceeding a  short  distance,  sliding  and  slipping  about  in  the 
mud  and  water,  the  order  to  march  was  countermanded, 
and  we  returned  to  camp. 

At  3  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  the  9th,  the  rev- 
eille was  sounded,  and  we  marched  at  seven.  We  passed 
by  three  separate  burying-grounds,  where  some  four  or  five 
hundred  pine  slabs  denoted  the  resting-places  of  as  many 
soldiers.  While  marching  through  Yorktown,  the  men  were 
surprised  at  the  extent,  strength,  and  beauty  of  the  enemy's 
fortifications.  The  weather  was  very  sultry,  and  the  roads 
were  dry  and  dusty,  and  as  the  men  carried  about  sixty 
pounds  weight  on  their  backs,  their  sufferings  were  great. 
The  hot  sun  beat  down  on  their  heads,  and  quite  a  number 
of  them  were  sun-struck.  On  the  march  we  passed  the  dif- 
ferent fields  where  skirmishing  had  taken  place  on  the  pre- 
ceding days.  The  action  at  Williamsburg  was  very  severe, 
the  place  being  strongly  fortified,  and  many  a  gallant  fellow 
was  cut  down  before  the  enemy  was  dislodged.  The  trees 
on  the  outskirts  of  the  open  plain  in  which  the  enemy  had 
built  their  works,  and  which  partially  protected  our  forces, 
were  completely  riddled  with  bullets,  and  the  small  saplings 
were  cut  down  entirely.  The  hospitals  and  churches  of  Wil- 
liamsburg were  still  filled  with  the  wounded  and  dying.  The 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  173 

regiment  marched  through  the  latter  place  in  company  front, 
and  the  men  were  much  amused  at  the  looks  of  disgust  which 
were  portrayed  on  the  faces  of  many  of  the  inhabitants. 

There  were  also  some  sad  sights.  A  lady  dressed  in 
mourning,  and  holding  a  fittle  child  by  the  hand,  stood  view- 
ing the  troops  from  a  balcony,  as  they  passed  by,  and  was 
weeping ;  she  had  probably  lost  a  husband  or  some  near 
relative  in  the  late  battle. 

The  command  was  halted  for  the  night  about  four  miles 
beyond  the  city,  having  marched  twenty-two  miles.  After 
spreading  their  ponchos  on  the  ground,  and  wrapping  them- 
selves in  their  blankets,  all,  except  the  pickets  and  camp 
guard,  were  soon  fast  asleep. 

Saturday,  May  loth,  we  turned  out  at  sunrise,  wet  and  cold 
from  the  heavy  dew,  and  somewhat  stiff  from  the  previous 
day's  exertions ;  marched  at  8  A.M.,  at  rather  a  dragging  step 
at  first,  and  halted  at  2  P.M.,  after  traveling  about  eight  miles, 
and  went  into  bivouac  at  Camp  Warren.  A  squad  of  men 
were  detailed  for  guard  at  General  Sykes'  headquarters. 

Sunday,  May  TI. — The  wagons  arrived  last  night,  and  for 
the  first  time  in  three  days  we  were  blessed  with  the  sight  of 
coffee.  At  i  P.M.  we  slung  knapsacks,  marched  about  four 
miles  and  bivouacked  at  Camp  Buchanan,  six  miles  from 
West  Point.  The  men  made  their  coffee  in  their  tin  cups, 
feasted  on  hard-tack,  smoked  their  pipes  and  chatted,  and 
then  spread  themselves  on  the  ground  and  went  to  sleep. 

Monday,  May  12. — There  was  a  heavy  dew  during  the  pre- 
vious night,  which  wet  the  blankets  and  chilled  the -men. 
They  made  coffee  and  awaited  orders.  The  reveille  awoke 
the  regiment  at  3  A.M.  on  the  ijth,  and  we  marched  at  six. 
In  the  afternoon  we  fell  into  the  wrong  road,  were  halted 
suddenly,  and  ordered  to  unsling  knapsacks,  which  were  left 
in  the  woods ;  after  which  we  were  ordered  off  down  a  road 
for  some  distance  on  a  double-quick,  and  into  an  open  field 
to  the  left,  where  the  regiment  was  quickly  drawn  up  in  line. 


174        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

of  battle,  facing  a  wood,  to  support  the  cavalry  who  had  en- 
countered the  enemy,  and  deployed  skirmishers.  We  re- 
mained under  arms  in  readiness  for  two  hours,  our  interest 
stimulated  by  squads  of  cavalrymen  who  kept  filing  in  from 
the  front,  each  and  all  agreeing  that  the  enemy  were  in  force. 
At  dark  we  were  relieved  by  some  infantry  and  artillery,  and 
countermarched  to  get  the  knapsacks.  Our  gait  was  consid- 
erably accelerated  by  the  sight  of  dense  clouds  of  smoke 
which  arose  from  the  vicinity  of  the  spot  where  they  had 
been  placed,  and  alarmed  for  their  safety,  as  it  was  soon 
discovered  that  the  woods  were  on  fire.  Fortunately,  the 
knapsacks  had  been  cared  for  by  some  of  the  drum  corps, 
drummers  Jenks  and  Verney  being  complimented  by  Colonel 
Warren  for  their  efforts  in  saving  them. 

The  regiment  resumed  the  march,  and  after  a  tedious 
stretch  of  thirteen  miles,  running  well  into  the  night,  we  sud- 
denly struck  the  camp  at  Cumberland,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Pamunkey  River.  It  was  a  magnificent  sight  as  it  burst  upon 
the  view  of  the  weary  men. 

Below  them,  stretched  over  an  immense  plain,  were  en- 
camped an  army  of  eighty  thousand  men.  Innumerable 
camp-fires  could  be  seen  in  every  direction,  which  became 
smaller  as  the  eye  scanned  them  in  the  distance,  until  at  the 
outline  they  seemed  like  mere  star  points  of  light.  We  ar- 
rived in  camp  about  n  P.M.,  and  immediately  went  into 
bivouac.  A  storm  which  lasted  two  days  came  upon  us, 
which  made  the  men  extremely  uncomfortable,  as  they  were 
without  shelter.  On  the  i5th,  all  the  troops  were  drawn  up 
in  an  immense  square,  and  reviewed  by  Secretary  SEWARD. 
It  was  a  splendid  spectacle,  notwithstanding  the  rain. 

The  country  through  which  the  regiment  marched  to  this 
camp  was  desolate  and  deserted.  Not  a  cow,  horse,  or  cart 
were  to  be  seen  on  the  farms,  nor  indeed  a  living  animal  of 
any  kind.  Many  of  the  houses  were  dismantled  and  deserted, 
and  the  few  that  were  occupied  were  inhabited  by  old  men, 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  175 

women,  or  invalids,  who  hung  out  a  white  rag  for  protection ; 
but  not  an  able-bodied  man  or  a  grown  boy  was  to  be  seen. 
They  were  all  in  the  Confederate  army.  Very  few  negroes 
were  found,  nearly  all  having  been  driven  into  the  interior 
by  their  owners.  While  staying  in  this  camp,  considerable 
traffic  was  kept  up  by  a  few  soldiers  of  trading  dispositions. 
They  obtained  passes  to  the  landing  on  the  river,  and  laid 
out  their  money  in  cakes,  cheese,  and  butter,  and  on  their 
return  disposed  of  their  commodities  to  their  comrades  at  a 
profit  of  five  hundred  per  cent.  So  eager  were  the  men  to 
buy,  at  any  price,  that  they  fought,  pushed,  and  shoved  their 
way  through  the  crowd,  with  their  money  in  their  fists,  and 
exchanged  it  for  the  coveted  luxuries  without  regard  to  long 
or  short  measure.  Their  principal  anxiety  was  to  get  some- 
thing, reckless  of  cost.  One  of  the  men  managed  to  buy  a 
barrel  of  cider,  on  which  he  cleared  about  fifty  dollars  when 
it  was  only  two-thirds  gone.  A  raid  was  made  upon  it  by 
some  of  the  "  red  devils,"  who  tumbled  him,  with  the  cider 
and  all  of  his  customers,  into  a  promiscuous  heap,  and  in 
consequence  none  of  the  raiders  got  enough  to  wet  their 
lips  with. 

On  Saturday,  the  i7th,  we  marched  five  miles,  and  bivou- 
acked near  the  White  House.  General  Sykes'  division  of 
regulars,  including  the  Fifth,  were  assigned  to  the  Fifth  Army 
Corps,  under  command  of  General  Fitz  John  Porter.  Seven 
wagoners  were  killed  by  guerrillas  between  New  Kent  and 
Cumberland. 

Who  were  the  guerrillas  ?  When  the  army  was  marching 
along  a  road,  occasionally  an  old,  grizzly-bearded  man  might 
be  seen  hoeing  away  at  a  patch  of  ground  near  his  cabin,  ap- 
parently so  much  absorbed  in  his  work  as  to  scarcely  notice 
anything  else  ;  nor  did  he  attract  any  attention  in  return. 
But  the  main  body  having  passed  along,  were  followed  by 
the  stragglers,  at  first  numerous,  but  gradually  decreasing  in 
numbers  until  now  and  then  only  one  perhaps  might  be  seen 


176         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

at  considerable  intervals.  Now,  that  apparently  harmless 
old  man  has  dropped  his  hoe  for  his  rifle,  perhaps  the  same 
that  his  grandfather  used  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle  for  in- 
dependence. He  is  lying  in  wait,  behind  some  stone  wall  or 
convenient  clump  of  bush,  or  perhaps  near  his  barn,  where 
some  belated  or  sick  soldier  may  seek  rest  for  the  night. 

At  the  company  roll  call  in  camiJ  next  morning  a  man  is 
reported  missing.  He  is  never  heard  of  again  by  comrades, 
family,  or  friends.  He  is  on  the  army  records  as  a  "  deserter." 
That  is  all  that  will  ever  be  known  of  him  on  this  earth  ;  but 
that  old  man  could  solve  the  mystery  if  he  would. 

One  morning,  just  before  the  regiment  started  on  its  day's 
march,  Colonel  Warren  said  he  had  a  remark  to  make  to  the 
men,  which  was  about  as  follows :  He  had  noticed  on  the 
previous  day  a  great  deal  of  straggling,  and  it  must  not  oc- 
cur again.  "  Now,  to-day,"  said  he,  "  I  intend  to  act  as 
doctor,  and  for  such  as  are  disposed  to  lag  behind,  I  have 
some  pills  which  are  a  sure  cure,"  and  he  tapped  his  revolver 
significantly  as  he  said  it.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  there 
were  very  few  sick  men  that  day,  and  it  was  astonishing  how 
well  the  regiment  kept  together. 

To  those  who  have  never  been  in  the  army,  and  may 
chance  to  read  this,  it  may  be  said  that  on  a  inarch  there  are 
many  who  drop  out  from  choice  as  well  as  from  exhaustion. 
The  surgeons  and  some  of  the  field  officers  always  follow  in 
the  rear  of  a  regiment,  brigade,  or  division  ;  the  former  ex- 
amine those  who  are  sick,  and  if,  in  their  judgment,  they  are 
not  good  enough  for  a  few  steps  further,  they  are  put  in  ambu- 
lances and  brought  along.  But  there  are  some  men  of  strong 
wills  who  would  not  give  in  even  when  dangerously  ill,  until 
compelled  to  do  so  by  a  surgeon.  The  camp  guard  are  also 
in  the  rear,  and  they  drive  the  stragglers  along ;  if  they  es- 
cape them,  they  are  liable  to  be  picked  up  by  the  brigade, 
division,  or  corps  provosts ;  and  last  of  all  comes  the  Pro- 
vost-General of  the  army,  with  at  least  a  regiment  of  reg- 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  177 

ular  infantry  and  a  squadron  of  cavalry,  who  scour  both  sides 
of  the  road,  looking  into  farm-houses,  barns,  etc.  In  an  en- 
gagement, all  of  the  provost  guards  pick  up  the  men  who 
fall  to  the  rear,  and  form  them  into  battalions,  and  they  are 
marched  again  to  the  front  and  assigned  a  position,  often  the 
very  worst  that  can  be  found. 

Reveille  started  us  from  our  slumbers  at  2  A.M.,  on  Mon- 
day, the  i  pth.  After  bolting  some  coffee  and  hard- tack,  we 
started  off  on  our  march,  and  at  the  end  of  two  miles  we 
halted  to  await  the  construction  of  a  bridge.  While  patiently 
tarrying  for  this  purpose,  we  were  visited  by  a  heavy  shower 
of  rain.  After  several  hours  spent  like  chickens  under  the 
bushes  to  keep  as  much  sheltered  as  possible,  we  resumed 
the  march,  and  at  night  halted  in  a  swamp  near  TunstalPs 
Station,  about  five  miles  distant  from  our  starting-place. 
The  men  built  slight  shanties  and  slept  on  the  muddy  ground, 
but  endeavored  to  convince  themselves  that  they  were  com- 
fortable. This  effort  required  too  vivid  an  imagination,  and 
they  finally  gave  up  in  disgust  and  fell  back  on  their  fortitude. 

On  Tuesday,  the  2oth,  we  remained  in  camp,  and  dined 
luxuriously  on  boiled  beans,  not  overdone.  At  dusk  we  were 
favored  with  the  usual  music  of  heavy  firing  in  the  distance. 
On  the  2ist  we  marched  seven  miles  and  bivouacked  for 
the  night.  On  the  22d  we  marched  six  miles  and  bivouacked 
at  Cold  Harbor.  It  was  reported  that  General  Sykes*  negro 
servant  was  shot  dead  by  guerrillas  while  watering  a  horse. 
The  latter  wandered  back  without  its  rider,  and  two  cavalry- 
men, who  went  to  see  what  had  become  of  him,  were  fired 
at.  It  occurred  about  half  a  mile  from  camp.  On  Saturday, 
the  24th,  it  commenced  to  rain,  and  the  men  built  shanties, 
but  had  scarcely  completed  them  when  they  received  orders 
to  pack  knapsacks,  which  was  done  in  the  midst  of  a  beating 
storm.  We  inarched  five  miles  through  the  mud  and  water, 
and  halted  at  Old  Church,  where  a  cavalry  skirmish  had 
taken  place  during  the  previous  night. 


178         Fifth  New    York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  men  are  beginning  to  feel  severely  the  effects  of 
sleeping  on  the  ground  without  any  covering  except  a  blanket 
or  overcoat,  exposed  to  the  mists  and  heavy  dews.  There 
are  about  one  hundred  sick  in  the  regiment,  a  few  cases 
being  sun-strokes,  but  the  majority  are  suffering  from  malarial 
diseases. 

During  the  march  lately  the  regiment  passed  some  beauti- 
ful residences  and  flourishing  farms,  all  seemingly  abandoned 
and  deserted  except  by  a  few  negroes.  It  is  a  well-wooded 
country,  and  most  of  the  marches  have  been  made  over 
roads  through  the  woods.  There  was  no  scarcity  of  water, 
the  country  abounding  in  fine  springs  ;  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  bill  of  fare  clearly  showed  that  there  was  no  danger  of 
being  overfed.  Sometimes  "Yankee  Doodle"  was  served 
for  breakfast,  "  The  Red,  White,  and  Blue  "  for  dinner,  and 
"  Hail  Columbia"  for  supper.  The  roll  calls  took  the  place 
of  sandwiches  to  fill  up  with,  all  day  long  while  in  camp,  and 
a  general  inspection  of  arms  every  night  at  6  P.M. 

Colonel  Warren  was  now  in  command  of  a  provisional 
brigade,  consisting  of  the  5th  New  York,  the  ist  Connecticut 
Heavy  Artillery  (at  the  time  acting  as  infantry,  about  1,000 
strong),  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  (Rush's  Lancers),  and 
Weeden's  R.  I.  Battery.  In  all  the  marches  of  the  Fifth, 
either  before  or  after  this  period,  the  ist  Connecticut  was 
the  only  regiment,  besides  the  regulars,  that  put  their  endur- 
ance to  a  test,  and  between  them  and  our  boys  it  was  a  close 
match. 

On  the  25th,  Colonel  Warren  rode  into  camp  in  great 
haste,  and  the  brigade  was  put  in  readiness  to  march  ;  but 
after  lying  on  their  arms  a  couple  of  hours,  three  companies 
of  the  Fifth  were  ordered  on  picket,  and  the  rest  of  the 
troops  were  dismissed. 

The  position  which  Warren's  brigade  now  occupied  was 
on  the  right  and  rear  of  the  army,  to  guard  against  guerrillas 
and  detachments  of  the  enemy  from  cutting  off  cupply  trains. 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  .      179 

We  were  obliged  to  be  very  vigilant  to  avoid  a  surprise  or 
to  be  ready  if  attacked,  and  pickets  were  detailed  in  all 
directions. 

On  one  of  the  recent  marches  during  the  night,  the  Col- 
onel gave  strict  orders  for  the  men  to  make  as  little  noise  as 
possible,  on  account  of  the  nearness  of  the  enemy ;  but  he 
had  hardly  ceased  speaking  when  a  jackass,  on  which  the 
band-master  was  riding,  having  scented  water  somewhere, 
set  up  a  discordant  "  he-haw."  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
the  Colonel  was  excited  !  in  fact,  that  word  would  not  do 
justice  to  his  feelings  ;  and  he  did  not  stop  to  place  the  few 
words  which  escaped  from  his  lips  in  the  most  studied  and 
graceful  language.  To  make  matters  worse,  "  Saxey "  and 
another  of  the  drummer-boys,  who  could  not  resist  the 
opportunity  for  a  frolic,  managed  to  apply  some  horse- 
chestnut  burs  to  the  flanks  of  the  brute,  who  made  a  jump 
for  the  woods,  and  threw  his  rider  into  the  brush,  from  which 
he  emerged  with  his  face  and  hands  much  scratched  and 
clothing  torn,  besides  losing  his  rosinante. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

THE   PENINSULAR  CAMPAIGN— (Continued}. 

PAMUNKEY  BRIDGE — CROSSING  THE  BRIDGE — KILLED  AT  HIS  BIRTHPLACE — THE 
REBELS  RETIRE— REBEL  COMMUNICATION  BROKEN— AN  ASTONISHED  NEGRO— 
A  DESCENDANT  OF  PATRICK  HENRY— RETURN  TO  CAMP— HANOVER  COURT 
HOUSE— CAPTAIN  GRIFFIN'S  BRAZEN  PET— AFTER  THE  BATTLE— BURYING  THE 
DEAD — RESULT — A  RAID  AND  A  CAPTURE — A  RECONNOISSANCE — BACK  TO  OLD 
CHURCH — WHAT  WE  FOUGHT  FOR  AT  HANOVER — THE  CHICKAHOMINY — NEW 
BRIDGE  — A  DONATION  OF  FLOUR  — A  SPECULATION  IN  DOUGHNUTS— SAL 
ERATUS  AND  WHAT  SHE  DID— A  PAIR  OF  SHOES— SLEEPING  UNDER  ARMS- 
GENERAL  McCLELLAN'S  ADDRESS  TO  THE  ARMY — GENERAL  SVKES*  SPEECH — 

PICKET  AT  NEW  BRIDGE — REVIEW  BY  GENERAL  PRIM — MASKING  A  BATTERY  AT 
NIGHT — STUART'S  CAVALRY  ON  A  RAID — WHAT  THEY  DID 

Monday,  May  26,  1862. — Four  companies  of  the  Fifth, 
A,  G,  H,  and — ,  in  company  with  a  squadron  of  Rush's  Lan- 
cers and  a  section  of  artillery,  under  the  command  of  Col- 
onel Warren,  marched  early  in  the  morning  from  camp  near 
Old  Church  to  a  place  called  Pipping  Trees,  Pamunkey 
River,  a  distance  of  nine  miles.  As  the  Lancers  approached 
the  river  they  were  discovered  by  the  enemy,  who  were  a 
detachment  of  the  4th  Virginia  Cavalry  guarding  the  bridge 
at  this  point.  A  skirmish  immediately  ensued,  in  which  two 
of  the  enemy  were  wounded.  The  detachment  of  the  Fifth 
hurried  forward  and  drew  up  in  line  of  battle  on  the  high 
ground  overlooking  the  bridge.  The  enemy  commenced 
firing  on  them,  but  with  defective  aim. 

Company  H,  under  the  leadership  of  Lieutenant- Colonel 
H.  Duryea,  was  ordered  to  charge  the  bridge.  They  ap- 
proached as  near  as  possible  under  cover  of  the  woods,  and 
then  made  a  dash  for  it  on  the  double-quick.  The  enemy's 
cavalry  on  the  bridge,  \\ho  were  dismounted  and  acting  as 
infantry,  retreated  to  their  reserve  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river.  One  of  them  halted  at  about  the  center  and  took 
(180) 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  181 

deliberate  aim,  but  before  he  could  discharge  his  piece  there 
were  half  a  dozen  shots  fired  at  him  almost  simultaneously, 
and  he  fell  shot  through  the  body,  mortally  wounded.  He 
was  picked  up  and  carried  to  a  farm-house  that  stood  near 
the  approach  to  the  bridge,  which  proved  to  be  the  same  in 
which  himself  and  his  father  were  born.  He  died  like  a 
brave  man,  fighting  for  what  he  probably  thought  the  right, 
and  literally  in  defense  of  home  and  fireside. 

Private  Woodfall,  of  Company  H,  was  wounded  by  a  shot 
at  about  the  same  instant  that  this  man  received  his  death 
wound.  The  company,  followed  by  the  cavalry,  kept  on 
over  the  bridge,  and  the  latter  deployed  in  battle  array  for  a 
charge.  The  rebel  cavalry  in  the  meantime  kept  up  a  run- 
ning fire,  and  were  flying  like  the  wind  on  splendidly 
mounted  horses ;  the  Lancers  followed,  but  were  left  far 
behind  in  the  rear. 

After  a  portion  of  the  battalion  were  stationed  as  pickets 
to  avoid  a  surprise,  and  as  a  guard  over  the  stacked  arms, 
the  rest  of  the  men  commenced  the  destruction  of  the 
bridge.  It  vyas  substantially  built  of  oak  and  pine  timber, 
and  was  of  great  benefit  to  the  Confederates,  as  it  con- 
nected the  great  highway  used  for  the  transportation  of 
supplies  to  Richmond  from  that  part  of  the  country. 

Colonel  Warren  directed  the  men  how  to  pull  it  down  in 
a  scientific  manner,  and  under  his  instructions  there  was 
soon  nothing  left  of  it  but  the  fallen  trestles  and  supports, 
floating  in  the  rapid  current.  Fires  were  built  on  each  shore 
to  burn  portions  of  the  timbers.  An  old  slave  stood  look- 
ing on  in  wonderment,  rubbing  his  hands  together,  in  evi- 
dent glee,  when  finally  he  spoke  up  and  said,  that  the 
"Squires  were  ten  years  in  argufying  abtut,  and  buildin' 
dat  dar  sucumstructure,  but  yuse  massa  Lincums'  sojurs  had 
dun  gone  and  spiled  it  in  ten  minits."  When  its  destruction 
was  completed  and  the  battalion  were  making  preparations 
to  march  again,  it  was  discovered  that  James  R.  Murray,  of 


1 82        -Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Company  A,  was  left  on  the  other  shore,  but  luckily  he  was 
able  to  work  his  way  over  by  jumping  from  one  piece  of 
floating  timber  to  another. 

The  men  had  captured  some  half  a  dozen  citizens  of  the 
upper  class,  at  various  houses  on  the  march,  to  avoid  intelli- 
gence of  the  movement  being  made  known  to  the  enemy. 
One  of  them,  a  Doctor  Henry,  who  wore  a  high  silk  hat  and 
a  black  frock  coat,  was  a  fine  old  Virginia  gentleman.  He 
was  questioned  by  the  Adjutant  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the 
enemy  and  other  matters  that  might  have  afforded  valuable 
information  ;  but  he  was  self-possessed  and  secretive  to  the 
utmost.  Finally  he  was  informed  that  he  would  be  shot  if 
he  did  not  answer.  He  drew  himself  up,  and  raising  his  hat, 
said  :  "  I  am  an  old,  gray-haired  man  of  sixty  years.  My 
name  is  Henry,  a  direct  descendant  of  PATRICK  HENRY,  of 
Roanoke.  I  was  born  and  reared  near  this  spot,  where  the 
illustrious  patriot  spent  his  youth  and  manhood ;  and  1  will 
say,  that  I  have  never  been  guilty  of  doing  a  dishonorable 
act  in  my  life,  nor  can  you  compel  me,  with  all  the  force  at 
your  command,  to  do  so  at  the  present  time."  He  was 
taken  to  Colonel  Warren,  who  treated  him  in  a  noble  and 
generous  manner,  and  soon  put  him  at  his  ease.  The  object 
of  the  expedition  having  been  accomplished,  the  detail  re- 
turned back  to  camp,  having  marched  about  eighteen  miles. 

Several  of  the  companies  were  sent  out  on  picket  at  dark, 
one  of  which  was  Company  F.  The  latter  constructed  shan- 
ties while  the  rain  fell  heavily.  At  midnight  the  outposts 
were  ordered  to  fall  back  on  the  reserve.  The  night  was  so 
dark  it  was  impossible  to  see  a  yard  ahead  ;  the  mud  was 
knee  deep,  and  they  floundered  back,  slipping,  sliding,  growl- 
ing, and  cursing.  They  had  no  shelter  from  the  heavy  rain, 
but  nevertheless  managed  to  catch  a  little  wretched  sleep, 
sitting  with  their  backs  against  the  trees.  In  the  morning 
they  floundered  back  to  camp  in  a  miserable  condition,  and 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  183 

had  coffee  made,  but  had  scarcely  touched  it,  when  they 
were  ordered  to  duty  with  the  rest  of  the  command. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  the  27th,  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  fall  in,  in  light  marching  order,  which  was 
significant  to  them  of  prospective  fighting,  and  they  felt  at 
this  time  that  a  brush  with  the  enemy  would  be  a  great  relief 
to  their  unquiet  temper,  for  they  were  not  in  the  most  ami- 
able mood.  They  moved  from  camp  near  Old  Church, 
through  a  heavy  rain,  and  over  bad  roads,  on  a  route  leading 
to  Hanover  Court-house,  parallel  to  the  Pamunkey  River. 
After  marching  some  miles,  Colonel  Warren  took  the  Lan- 
cers and  pushed  on  some  distance  to  the  northward,  and 
destroyed  some  bridges  leading  over  the  Pamunkey,  and 
captured  a  number  of  prisoners  and  rejoined  the  command. 

The  force  kept  on  their  march  to  join  General  Porter  and 
a  portion  of  the  Fifth  Corps.  On  arriving  at  a  large  field, 
we  were  halted  and  ordered  to  load,  and  the  cavalry  were 
sent  forward  to  reconnoiter.  They  had  scarcely  returned 
when,  at  a  little  distance,  the  booming  of  cannon  was  heard. 
They  built  a  bridge  over  a  creek,  crossed,  and  moved  at  a 
quick  step  in  the  direction  from  which  the  sound  came.  But 
for  the  inevitable  delay  occasioned  by  building  the  bridge, 
the  brigade  would  have  been  among  the  first  to  engage  in  the 
battle  of  Hanover  Court-house. 

General  Emory,  with  the  5th  and  6th  U.  S.  Cavalry,  Ben- 
son's 2d  U.  S.  Artillery,  and  General  Butterfield's  brigade, 
had  come  upon  the  enemy,  who  were  composed  of  North 
Carolina  and  Georgia  regiments,  under  the  command  of 
General  Branch,  at  a.  point  about  two  miles  from  the 
Court-house,  where  the  road  forked  to  Ashland.  General 
Emory  was  joined  by  the  25th  New  York  and  Berdan's 
Sharp-shooters.  These  regiments  deployed  with  a  section  of 
the  battery,  and  advanced  slowly  toward  the  enemy  until  re- 
inforced by  General  Butterfield,  with  four  regiments,  when 


1 84        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  enemy  was  charged  and  routed,  the  lyth  New  York  cap- 
turing-one  gun  of  Latham's  New  Orleans  battery,  which  had 
become  disabled  by  the  fire  of  Benson's  battery.  The  firing 
here  lasted  one  hour.  The  cavalry  and  battery  were  ordered 
in  pursuit,  followed  by  Morell's  infantry  and  artillery,  with 
the  exception  of  Martindale's  brigade.* 

At  this  stage  of  the  battle,  the  5th  New  York  came  up, 
and  followed  on  after  Morell's  division  in  the  direction  of  the 
firing,  over  an  immense  field  of  wheat  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  in  width.  A  wooden  farm-house  stood  at  about  the 
center  of  this  field,  which  had  been  the  scene  of  a  severe 
struggle.  They  advanced  as  far  as  Hanover  Court-house. 
Suddenly  aides,  on  horseback,  came  flying  by,  and  the  troops 
were  ordered  to  return.  General  Porter  and  staff  passed 
by,  and  ordered  us  to  quick-march.  A  Major  of  the  staff 
informed  our  Lieutenant-Colonel,  H.  Duryea,  acting  in  com- 
mand of  the  regiment,  that  we  were  outflanked  by  the  enemy 
in  force. 

The  Fifth  faced  about  and  hurried  back  again  to  the  wheat- 
field.  They  were  immediately  formed  in  line  of  battle,  fac- 
ing toward  the  south-west,  and  advanced  by  the  double-quick. 

The  sun  had  come  o-ut  in  the  meantime  with  scorching 
heat,  and  the  men  were  exhausted  by  their  fifteen-mile  march 
in  the  morning,  over  execrable  roads  in  the  rain,  and  a  few 
fell  down  in  the  field  from  sun-stroke.  It  appears  that  Con- 
federate troops  had  come  up  on  cars  from  Richmond  as  rein- 
forcements, and  were  formed  in  line  of  battle  near  Peake's 
Station,  on  the  Virginia  Central  Railroad,  and  on  the  Ash- 
land road,  near  the  scene  of  the  first  engagement,  and  were 
in  the  rear  of  the  troops  following  the  enemy. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  describe  all  the  movements  of 
General  Porter's  command,  but  he  immediately  ordered  all 
the  troops  in  the  pursuit  to  face  about  and  retrace  their  steps. 


*  See  General  McClellan's  Report  (pp.  206-7.) 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  185 

The  enemy  attacked  General  Martindale,  who  had  with  him 
the  2d  Maine,  25th  and  44th  New  York,  with  a  section  of 
Martin's  battery,  on  the  New  Bridge  road  facing  his  own  posi- 
tion of  the  morning,  and  who  held  his  ground  against  large 
odds  until  reinforced  by  the  i3th  and  i4th  New  York  and 
Griffin's  battery. 

The  "Fighting  Qth"  Massachusetts,  and  the  62d  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  McQuade's  brigade,  pushed  through  woods  on  the 
right  (our  original  left)  on  the  flank  of  the  enemy.  Butter- 
field,  with  the  83d  Pennsylvania  and  the  i6th  Michigan,  ad- 
vancing by  the  railroad  and  through  the  woods,  further  to 
the  right,  completed  the  rout  of  the  enemy. 

When  the  5th  New  York  arrived  near  the  scene,  it  had  be- 
come quite  exciting ;  batteries  dashed  along  the  roads  on  a 
sharp  run,  and  the  infantry  were  going  at  a  double-quick 
through  the  fields,  and  they  were  surprised  to  see  so  many 
troops,  and  wondered  where  they  had  all  come  from,  not 
knowing  when  they  started  from  camp  in  the  morning  where 
they  were  going  or  what  was  required  of  them.  All  was  ex- 
citement and  activity;  they  were  moving  on  in  quick  time  to 
attack  the  enemy,  who  had  just  shown  themselves  on  the 
edge  of  the  woods  that  skirted  the  field  to  the  southward. 
Presently  the  music  commenced,  with  the  prolonged  rattling 
that  continuous  musketry-fire  produces.  The  artillery  had 
not  yet  got  to  work,  nor  was  it  needed  until  the  enemy  had  got 
on  the  retreat.  General  Butterfield  came  dashing  up  in 
front  of  the  Fifth  as  they  were  going  on  the  double-quick  in 
line  of  battle,  battalion  front,  for  the  woods.  He  took  off  his 
cap  and  waved  it  above  his  head,  and  said  :  "  Go  in,  boys  ! 
and  1 11  see  you  supported  !  " 

In  a  few  moments  they  had  reached  the  wood,  which  was 
entered  with  a  Zouave  cheer.  The  sulphurous  smoke  hung 
so  thick  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  see  any  distance. 
They  relieved  the  25th  and  44th  New  York,  who  had  stood 
the  brunt  of  the  engagement,  and  had  suffered  severely. 


1 86         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  last  regiment  (Ellsworth's  Avengers)  was  one  of  the 
finest  bodies  of  picked  men  in  the  service,  morally  as  well 
as  physically.  The  men  advanced  through  the  woods,  step- 
ping over  the  Union  and  Confederate  dead  and  wounded, 
who  lay  thick,  and  out  of  the  woods  to  the  Ashland  road  ; 
down  the  road  to  the  railroad  cut,  and  after  some  difficulty 
cKmbed  up  the  bank  and  advanced  over  an  open  field.  The 
enemy  had  reached  the  cover  of  a  wood  the  other  side  of 
the  field  in  full  retreat,  and  the  men  could  not  get  at  them. 
Night  coming  on,  they  were  recalled,  and  marched  back, 
very  much  disappointed  at  losing  the  opportunity  to  grapple 
with  the  enemy  as  compensation  for  their  long  and  laborious 
tramp.  As  the  regiment  passed  the  men  who  had  been  in 
the  thick  of  the  fight  in  the  woods,  just  in  advance  of  the 
Zouaves,  some  of  them  said  that  as  soon  as  the  enemy  saw 
our  red  breeches  coming  through  they  beat  a  hasty  retreat, 
and  a  Confederate  officer  who  was  taken  prisoner  also  stated 
that  when  they  saw  the  Zouaves  charging  in  a  steady,  un- 
broken front  toward  them,  they  thought  there  was  too  much 
steel  for  them.  The  sight  no  doubt  hastened  their  move- 
ments. 

As  the  men  passed  down  the  Ashland  road  after  coming 
out  of  the  wood,  they  saw  Captain  (afterward  General)  Grif- 
fin, of  the  5th  United  States  Artillery,  sighting  his  gtms  per- 
sonally, and  was  patting  one  of  them  on  its  side,  which  had 
just  blown  up  one  of  the  enemy's  caissons,  and  killed  several 
horses  at  the  same  time.  He  exclaimed,  "  A  good  shot !  now 
another  like  that."  In  the  wood  and  at  the  side  of  a  fence 
on  the  border  of  the  road  by  which  the  enemy  retreated,  the 
dead  and  wounded  were  very  numerous.  Some  of  them  had 
ghastly  wounds  and  were  still  struggling  with  death.  Others 
lay  dead  without  the  sign  of  a  mark  on  them,  with  faces  up- 
turned, their  stony  eyes  glaring  at  the  sky.  A  father  and  his 
son  were  found  lying  side  by  side,  wounded  and  bleeding 
freely  ;  the  old  man  was  crying,  while  the  son  endeavored  to 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  187 

console  him.  In  another  place  two  or  three  were  found 
dead,  whose  appearance  led  one  to  think  they  had  died  talk- 
ing to  one  another  ;  others  reclined  against  the  fence,  among 
whom  was  a  powerful  fellow,  with  a  portion  of  his  forehead 
torn  away  and  his  brains  exposed,  who  was  still  breathing. 
A  splendid  bay  horse  lay  rigid  in  the  road  ;  he  had  cleared 
his  last  fence.  All  night  long  we  could  hear  the  groans  of 
the  wounded  and  dying  at  the  temporary  hospital  in  a  house 
near  by.  That  night  we  bivouacked  on  the  field,  and  as  the 
men  were  without  ponchos  or  blankets,  and  the  ground 
damp  and  cold  from  the  heavy  dew,  we  passed  a  wretched 
night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  when  the  men  awoke,  some 
of  them  found  that  they  were  lying  among  the  dead ;  it  was 
after  dark  when  they  laid  down  the  previous  night,  and  what 
they  supposed  were  soldiers  sleeping  with  blankets  over  them, 
were  dead  men.  Details  were  made  from  some  of  the 
regiments,  including  the  Fifth,  to  bury  the  dead.  Trenches 
were  dug  large  enough  to  hold  twenty-five.  The  detail  from 
the  Fifth  buried  twenty-five  Confederates  as  decently  as 
their  circumstances  would  allow.  They  were  all  placed  in  a 
single  trench  with  an  Orderly  Sergeant  at  their  head,  the  post 
he  occupied  when  alive ;  at  each  corner  of  the  plot  they 
placed  stakes,  and  at  one  end  of  it,  cut  on  the  trunk  of  a  tree, 
"25  N.  C.  X  killed." 

The  result  of  the  battle  was  two  hundred  of  the  enemy 
buried  on  the  field  ;  about  eight  hundred  prisoners  captured  ; 
one  twelve-pound  howitzer  and  caisson,  a  great  number  of 
small  arms,  and  two  railroad  trains  loaded  with  a  large 
amount  of  tobacco,  were  captured  and  destroyed.  The  Union 
loss  was  less  than  four  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded.  One 
wing  of  the  Fifth  and  the  Lancers  went  about  four  miles  and 
captured  an  entire  company  of  the  enemy,  besides  paroling 
many  wounded  who  were  in  houses  on  their  route.  The 
next  day,  Thursday,  the  29th,  Colonel  Warren,  with  the  Fifth, 


1 88         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

ist  Connecticut,  the  Lancers,  a  section  of  Weeden's  battery, 
and  other  detachments,  went  on  a  reconnoissance  on  the 
Ashland  road,  about  seven  miles.  It  was  the  same  path  by 
which  the  enemy  retreated.  We  found  knapsacks  and  cloth- 
ing strewn  along  the  road.  The  advance  was  cautiously 
made,  with  skirmishers  deployed  ahead  and  on  the  flanks,  as 
we  might  come  upon  the  enemy  at  any  time,  or  run  into  an 
ambush.  At  one  time  we  laid  in  line  of  battle. 

Colonel  Warren,  with  the  cavalry,  finally  pushed  forward 
and  entered  Ashland,  the  birthplace  of  Henry  Clay,  captur- 
ing some  prisoners,  and  obtaining  information  of  General 
McDowell's  advance.  We  then  marched  back  to  camp,  and 
after  resting  two  hours,  we  were  again  on  our  way  to  Old 
Church,  which  we  reached  about  midnight,  having  marched 
fifty  miles  since  we  left  it  on  the  27th.  The  men  suffered 
greatly  for  the  want  of  food,  and  straggled,  limping  along  the 
road  toward  camp.  By  some  mismanagement  of  the  Com- 
missariat the  men  had  received  no  rations  since  leaving  camp. 
In  the  railroad  trains  captured  on  the  battle-field  there  was  a 
large  quantity  of  tobacco,  from  which  the  men  filled  all  the 
available  pocket-room  they  could  command.  They  impro- 
vised the  art  of  cigar-making,  and  produced  some  prize 
specimens  of  mammoth  size. 

The  object  of  the  battle  of  Hanover  Court-house  was  to 
clear  away  the  enemy  from  the  right  and  rear  of  the  army, 
and  to  leave  no  obstacle  in  the  way  to  the  junction  of  Gen. 
McDowell's  First  Corps,  which  was  lying  south  of  Freder- 
icksburg,  with  the  right  of  General  McClellan's  army  be- 
sieging Richmond.  If  he  had  been  allowed  to  advance,  the 
march  could  have  been  easily  accomplished  in  two  days,  and 
in  all  likelihood  the  seven  days'  retreat,  a  month  later,  would 
never  have  occurred,  and  General  McClellan  would  tiave 
been  promptly  in  Richmond.  At  all  events,  that  was  the 
belief  of  all  in  the  Fifth  Corps,  and  of  the  Confederates 
themselves. 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  189 

The  smooth-bore  rifles,  heretofore  in  use  by  eight  com- 
panies of  the  regiment,  were  exchanged  on  the  3oth  for 
Springfield  rifles.  The  command  expected  to  march  the 
same  day  at  4  P.M.,  but  a  terrible  thunder-storm  coming  up, 
it  was  delayed.  The  thunder  and  lightning  were  grand  in 
the  extreme,  and  at  times  truly  terrific ;  it  rained  in  torrents, 
and  continued  until  late  in  the  night.  It  seemed  ominous 
of  the  storm  of  battle  which  was  about  to  open  about  Rich- 
mond. 

The  next  morning,  reveille  roused  us  at  two  o'clock  and  at 
five  o'clock  we  marched  four  miles,  the  roads  all  under  water 
and  muddy,  and  were  ordered  back  again  ;  and  finally,  after 
covering  six  or  seven  miles,  encamped  upon  an  evacuated 
camp-ground  near  Cold  Harbor,  joining  the  rest  of  the  divis- 
ion. 

In  the  afternoon  an  engagement  took  place  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Chickahominy.  There  was  a  constant  roar  of 
artillery,  and  the  roll  of  the  musketry  was  incessant.  The 
division  was  held  under  arms,  and  all  ready  to  move 
when  wanted.  The  engagement  alluded  to  was  the  battle 
of  Fair  Oaks,  and  the  division  would  have  been  sent  across 
the  river,  and  probably  engaged,  had  not  the  bridges  been 
carried  away  by  the  unprecedentedly  high  flow  of  the  waters, 
occasioned  by  the  recent  heavy  storm  of  rain  already  men- 
tioned. 

Sunday,  June  i. — -The  conflict  commenced  again  at  day- 
light, but  in  a  few  hours  appeared  to  recede  in  the  distance. 
Our  forces  drove  the  enemy  and  approached  to  within  five 
miles  of  Richmond.  The  aggregate  losses  on  both  sides  in 
killed  and  wounded  was  12,500  men.  We  marched  at  4P.M. 
about  two  miles,  and  encamped  in  a  dense  pine  wood  near 
New  Bridge,  which  was  an  admirable  spot  for  a  camp.  The 
firing  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  led  the  men  to  expect 
that  they  would  be  called  upon  at  any  moment  to  take  part 
in  the  great  struggle  which  appeared  to  them  would  perhaps 


IQO        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

decide  the  fate  of  one  of  the  two  great  armies.  We  were 
so  near  the  enemy  that  no  drum  or  bugle  call  was  allowed 
to  be  sounded. 

On  the  2d  the  weather  was  very  warm,  and  the  sound  of 
battle  was  almost  entirely  subdued,  very  little  firing  being 
heard  during  the  day.  A  small  detail  was  made  up  and  em- 
ployed in  digging  about  the  camp.  Colonel  Warren  sup- 
plied the  men  with  a  quantity  of  flour,  and  bread-baking 
was  the  order  of  the  day.  Those  who  had  tin  plates  were 
the  favored  ones  ;  the  rest  were  obliged  to  wait  and  borrow 
them  from  their  comrades.  The  flour  was  simply  mixed 
with  water  and  made  into  unleavened  cakes  and  baked  ;  but 
the  men  relished  them  with  great  satisfaction,  as  it  was  an 
acceptable  change  in  the  diet  to  which  they  had  been  ac- 
customed; and  at  times  was  heard  from  some  epicure  who 
could  not  restrain  from  giving  Vent  to  his  satisfaction,  the 
expressive,  but  not  very  elegant  remark,  "  Aint  this  bully." 

Two  of  the  boys  (of  Eastern  Shore  celebrity  in  mischief) 
procured  about  a  bushel  of  flour,  and  some  sugar  and  sale- 
ratus,  borrowed  a  sheet-iron  kettle  of  one  of  the  officers'  serv- 
ants, obtained  a  lot  of  fat  salt  pork,  and  went  into  business. 
They  first  washed  all  the  salt  from  the  pork,  tried  it  out, 
mixed  their  flour  with  sugar  and  saleratus,  let  it  rise,  and 
then  made  some  of  the  finest  doughnuts,  as  they  supposed, 
that  were  ever  served  up  ;  at  all  events  they  were  "  done 
brown."  When  they  had  made  a  great  pile  of  them,  they 
opened  shop,  and  never  before  was  there  such  a  rush  to 
procure  some  of  those  elegant  doughnuts.  The  pile  was 
soon  gone  at  five  for  twenty-five  cents,  and  the  demand  far 
exceeded  the  supply.  Occasionally  a  man  was  found  who 
had  the  temerity  to  express  the  opinion  that  they  were 
rather  tough,  and  were  good  specimens  of  home-made  India 
rubber  ;  but  he  was  immediately  frowned  down  as  a  bar- 
barian, and  a  man  devoid  of  epicurean  tastes.  The  sale 
kept  up  so  briskly  that  by  night  the  batter  was  almost 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  191 

exhausted,  and  the  firm  closed  up  their  business  for  the  day, 
estimated  their  profits,  and  talked  over  their  plans  for  the 
future.  But  they  were  in  a  quandary.  The  batter  was 
nearly  gone,  and  no-  more  flour  could  be  obtained  within 
range  of  their  guns.  Suddenly  the  contracted  brow  of  H. 
relaxed  from  its  thoughtful  aspect,  and  his  face  lit  up  with  a 
genial  smile.  He  had  struck  an  idea,  and  was  like  a  gold- 
miner  when  he  pans  out  a  rich  lot  of  "pay-dust."  "  Eureka  \ " 
he  exclaimed,  quoting  Archimedes.  They  had  still  on  hand 
a  quantity  of  saleratus,  which  up  to  this  time  was  looked  upon 
as  dead  stock,  but  now  it  was  worth  its  weight  in  gold. 
"  What  idea  have  you  struck,  pards  ?"  asked  H.'s  colleague. 
"  Why,  you  noodle-head,  its  very  plain — put  in  more  sale- 
ratus !  "  '*  That's  the  cheese.  Why  didn't  you  think  of  that 
before  ?  "  The  saleratus  was  added  in  generous  quantity, 
and  they  turned  in  and  went  to  sleep,  probably  dreaming  of 
light  doughnuts  for  the  million — so  light,  in  fact,  that  a  piece 
of  dough  the  size  of  a  walnut  would  turn  into  a  doughnut 
the  size  of  a  pumpkin.  At  all  events,  they  must  have 
dreamed  on  promiscuous  subjects,  for  they  had  partaken 
liberally  of  their  own  stock  in  trade  to  show  their  faith  in 
home  manufactures.  I  am  not  positive  that  this  was  the 
identical  night  that  the  whole  camp  was  aroused  by  fearful 
screams,  and  the  men  grasped  their  rifles,  and  the  officers 
rushed  out  of  their  tents  clad  in  Georgia  costume,  swords 
and  revolvers  in  hand,  supposing  at  first  that  the  enemy  had 
captured  the  camp  and  were  bayoneting  the  men  in  their 
tents,  until  it  was  discovered  that  a  somnambulist  of  Com- 
pany F  had  jumped  up  in  a  nightmare  and  was  trying  to 
climb  a  tree  before  he  was  awakened,  having  dreamed  that 
one  of  Hood's  Texan  Rangers  was  trying  to  scalp  him.  At 
all  events  this  was  the  camp  where  this  identical  thing  hap- 
pened, and  this  naturally  ought  to  have  been  the  night,  for 
never  before  were  the  men's  stomachs  so  full. 

In  the  morning  the  firm  were  roused  from  their  dreams  of 


192         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

wealth  by  the  reveille,  and  jumped  up  in  a  hurry.  But  what 
a  sight  met  their  eyes  !  Dough,  dough,  dough  everywhere  ! 
The  fact  of  it  was,  their  stock  had  risen  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  per  cent,  above  par,  and  kept  on  rising.  The  floor  of 
their  tent,  blankets,  rifles,  cartridge-boxes,  and  everything  else, 
were  covered  with  a  layer  of  dough,  and  they  could  be  traced 
out  to  the  line  for  roll  call  by  a  string  of  dough.  This  was 
something  that  had  not  entered  into  their  calculations.  They, 
however,  did  well  in  business  that  day,  and  added  saleratus, 
as  their  batter  decreased,  until  the  compound  was  so  sour 
that  all  the  sugar  they  could  beg,  borrow,  or  steal  was  not 
sufficient  to  sweeten  it  enough  to  suit  the  most  depraved 
taste.  Accordingly  one  night,  after  a  very  dull  day's  trade, 
they  buried  what  remained  of  their  stock  in  a  hole  outside 
of  their  tent,  in  the  company  street.  But  their  astonishment 
was  great  in  the  morning  at  finding  that  the  stuff  refused  to 
stay  buried,  and  had  burst  through  the  crust  of  earth  over 
it,  and,  like  a  fountain,  was  sending  out  its  streams,  where- 
upon they  were  obliged  to  heap  several  bushels  of  dirt  over 
the  spot  to  prevent  its  resurrection.  The  next  morning  they 
looked  out  of  their  tent  with  anything  but  confidence,  ex- 
pecting to  see  a  new  eruption.  They  were  agreeably  disap- 
pointed, and  thus  ends  the  long,  but  true  story  of  the 
''Zouave"  doughnuts. 

As  the  regiment  was  about  to  assemble  for  evening  parade, 
one  of  the  drummer-boys  made  his  appearance  in  his  accus- 
tomed place  barefoot,  his  shoes  having  mysteriously  disap- 
peared. The  Drum-Major  dismissed  him  with  the  admoni- 
tion to  present  himself  in  just  one  minute  and  a  half  decently 
shod,  or  suffer  the  consequences.  He  hurried  off  in  great 
anxiety  as  to  what  he  should  do ;  for,  being  a  small  boy,  he 
had  great  doubt  in  his  mind  about  being  able  to  borrow  a 
pair  from  any  of  the  men  off  duty  that  would  be  anywhere 
near  a  fit.  But  time  was  precious,  and  seeing  a  contraband, 
one  of  the  officers'  servants,  who  wore  number  fourteens,  he 


The  Peninsular  Campaign,  193 

prevailed  upon  him,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  to  lend  him  his 
brogans.  He  made  his  appearance  in  the  niche  of  time,  and 
as  he  shuffled  down  the  line  with  the  drum  corps,  for  he  could 
not  raise  his  feet  for  fear  of  losing  his  shoes,  trying  to  put  on  an 
unconscious  air,  as  if  there  was  nothing  extraordinary  in  his 
appearance,  it  was  as  much  as  all  could  do,  from  the  Colonel 
down,  to  keep  a  straight  face.  Such  enormous  feet  were 
never  seen  before  on  a  small  boy,  outside  of  a  negro  min- 
strel show,  and  I  venture  to  say  that  had  he  been  shot,  he 
would  have  died  upright,  for  nothing  short  of  an  earthquake 
could  have  destroyed  his  equilibrium,  with  such  a  broad  and 
lengthy  foundation. 

At  night  we  slept  under  arms,  and  during  the  following 
day,  the  3d,  the  division  was  drawn  up  on  parade,  and  Gen- 
eral Me  C  lei  Ian' s  battle  speech  was  read.  It  was,  in  substance, 
that  the  army  was  about  to  go  into  battle,  and  that  when  it 
marched,  knapsacks,  baggage,  and  wagons  were  to  be  left,  on 
this  side  of  the  Chickahominy.  All  that  the  men  were  to 
carry  would  be  their  arms  and  accoutrements,  haversack, 
with  three  days'  rations,  and  canteen  of  water.  He  said  the 
enemy  were  now  at  bay  before  their  citadel,  and  that  he 
would  be  with  his  men  in  the  hour  of  battle.  General  Sykes 
said  that  he  could  add  but  little  ;  but  that  little  was  said  to  the 
point.  He  spoke  about  as  follows  :  "Soldiers  of  Connecti- 
cut and  New  York  !  We  are  about  to  go  into  battle,  and 
if  there  is  any  hard  work  to  do,  we  have  got  to  do  it.  We 
must  stick  by  our  General,  and  march  by  his  side  into  Rich- 
mond." Cheers  then  rent  the  air,  and  the  troops  were 
marched  back  to  their  respective  camping  grounds. 

The  rain  fell  in  torrents  at  night,  and  continued  to  do  so 
the  whole  of  the  next  day.  The  Chickahominy  had  risen  to 
an  unprecedented  height,  and  overflowed  the  swampy  ground 
on  its  borders,  and  it  was  feared  that  the  flood  might  en- 
danger the  communications  between  the  right  and  left  wings 
of  the  army.  Blankets  and  overcoats  were  wet  through  ;  for, 
9 


194        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

having  no  tents,  the  only  shelter  the  men  had,  was  one  of 
the  most  temporary  kind.  They  were  troubled  with  diarrhoea 
and  malaria  ;  there  were  about  forty  new  cases  of  fevers  in  the 
regiment ;  many  of  the  officers  were  absent  sick,  and  others 
had  sent  in  their  resignations.  Whisky  and  quinine  were 
given  out  night  and  morning  as  a  tonic.  There  were  about 
650  men  present  for  duty. 

The  regiment  went  out  on  picket  on  the  morning  of 
Thursday,  the  5th,  on  the  Chickahominy,  at  New  Bridge. 
The  enemy  opened  with  their  batteries,  and  it  was  not  long 
before  three  of  our  batteries  were  replying ;  the  artillery  duel 
continued  for  two  hours,  which  made  the  position  of  the  men 
on  picket  and  the  reserve  anything  but  agreeable.  They 
were  obliged  frequently  to  shift  their  positions  from  the  road 
leading  to  the  bridge,  as  the  guns  of  the  enemy  completely 
commanded  it,  and  nothing  could  live  there  a  moment. 
Finally  the  Confederate  guns  were  silenced.  They  wounded 
some  of  our  men,  killed  three  horses,  and  did  other  damage.* 

Two  Confederates  who  were  on  picket  deserted  their  post 
and  came  over  and  delivered  themselves  up  to  George  Finley, 
of  Company  H.  They  were  fired  at  by  their  comrades,  but 
escaped  injury.  The  Confederate  and  Union  pickets  were 
quite  close,  being  in  plain  view  of  each  other,  and  sometimes 
made  an  agreement  not  to  fire  on  one  another.  If  an  officer 
made  his  appearance  the  men  jumped  for  cover,  as  they  were 
not  included  in  the  armistice,  and  a  general  fusilade  follows 
from  both  sides.  One  shot  breaks  the  truce,  and  this  may 
continue  for  some  days,  until  they  renew  the  agreement. 

The  next  morning  we  were  relieved  from  this  duty,  and 
several  of  the  pickets  that  relieved  the  Fifth,  were  shot  by 
the  rebels,  who  received  similar  compliments  in  return.  On 
the  7th  three  men  died  in  the  camp  hospital,  of  fever.  We 


*  General  McClellan's  Report,  (p.  227)  :  'k  NEW  BRIDGK,  June  5,  1862  . — En- 
emy opened  with  several  batteries  on  our  bridge,  near  here  this  morning ;  our  bat- 
teries seem  to  have  pretty  much  silenced  them,  though  some  firing  is  still  kept  up." 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  195 

were  joined  by  the  loth  New  York,  from  Fortress  Monroe. 
On  Sunday,  the  8th,  after  the  usual  inspection,  the  men  oc- 
cupied themselves  in  mending  and  washing  their  clothes. 

On  the  pth,  the  division  was  reviewed  by  General  Prim, 
of  Spain,  the  Count  of  Reus  and  Castillejos,  accompanied 
by  General  McClellan  and  staff.  General  Prim  paused  be- 
fore the  Fifth,  and  appeared  to  be  highly  delighted.  He  was 
astonished  to  see  a  regiment  uniformed  exactly  like  the  2d 
Regiment  of  French  Zouaves.  He  inquired  respecting  their 
organization,  and  complimented  Colonel  Warren  personally 
on  their  appearance,  offering  him  his  hand  in  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  gratification.  After  the  review  the  Zouaves  went 
through  a  drill,  bayonet  exercise,  etc.  General  Prim  atten- 
tively watched  the  unity  and  precision  of  their  movements. 
He  clapped  his  hands  enthusiastically,  and  the  men  felt 
highly  complimented. 

Orders  were  sent  us  on  Thursday,  the  i2th,  to  be  ready  at 
a  moment's  notice  in  light  marching  order.  We  left  camp  at 
7  P.M.  and  marched  to  the  Chickahominy  with  other  troops, 
numbering  in  all  about  1,500  men.  Arms  were  loaded  and 
ambulances  in  attendance.  After  posting  strong  pickets  and 
reserves,  the  remainder  were  set  to  work  throwing  up  an 
earthwork  to  protect  a  battery,  which  they  also  masked  ;  it 
was  finished  just  before  daylight,  and  we  marched  back  to 
camp.  If  the  enemy  had  been  aware  of  what  we  were  doing, 
they  certainly  would  have  attacked  us. 

On  the  following  day,  about  5  P.M.,  the  regiment  fell  into 
line,  loaded  rifles,  and  stepped  off  in  light  marching  order, 
without  waiting  for  rations  or  evening  coffee,  after  Stuart's 
cavalry,  about  1,500  strong,  with  four  guns,  who  made  a  dash 
by  the  right  flank  of  the  army  and  got  in  its  rear.  They  at- 
tacked two  squadrons  of  the  5th  U.  S.  Cavalry,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Royall,  near  Hanover  Old  Church,  and 
overpowered  them.  The  first  squadron  was  surprised  and 
dispersed  ;  the  second  charged  vigorously,  without  regard  to 


196        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  enemy's  numbers.  Capt.  Royall  killed  the  commander 
of  the  first  squadron  of  the  enemy  with  his  own  hand,  and 
was  himself  wounded  in  several  places  a  moment  after.  It 
was  feared  the  enemy  might  damage  the  railroad  by  which 
the  supplies  for  the  army  were  transported  from  White-hous 
Landing.  We  bivouacked  near  Old  Church,  after  a  forced 
march  of  thirteen  miles.  A  detail  from  the  regiment,  who 
were  stationed  as  an  outpost,  and  guard  of  protection  over 
Mrs.  Robert  Lee,  her  daughter-in-law,  the  wife  of  Colonel  Lee, 
and  two  nieces,  who  were  living  in  Ruffin's  house,  saw  all 
the  enemy's  cavalry  pass  along  on  the  other  side  of  the  river 
a  few  hours  before  the  regiment  came  up.  This  was  the 
residence  of  Edmund  Ruftin,  the  Virginian  who  went  to 
Charleston  and  begged  the  honor  of  firing  the  first  gun  at  the 
opening  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter.  A  few  weeks  after 
the  close  of  the  war,  with  that  insane  hatred  of  the  Union  and 
the  flag  which  animated  so  many  at  the  time,  and  determined 
that  he  would  never  again  live  under  the  Stars  and  Stripes, 
he  deliberately  loaded  his  pistol  and  fired  a  bullet  into  his 
head,  falling  dead  on  the  spot.  It  was  the  last  tragic  act  of 
the  Rebellion. 

When  the  troops  first  arrived  in  this  part  of  Virginia,  about 
May  24th,  a  squad  of  the  Fifth,  under  an  officer,  were  de- 
tailed to  search  Ruffin's  house,  under  the  supposition  that 
papers  containing  valuable  information  for  the  Union  cause 
might  be  discovered.  The  search  was  submitted  to  with  an 
ill  grace  by  Mrs.  Lee,  and  as  the  officer  was  about  to  depart, 
the  following  note  was  placed  in  his  charge,  addressed  to  the 
General  in  command  of  the  division  : 

SIR  : — I  have  patiently  and  humbly  submitted  to  a  search  of 
my  house  by  men  under  your  command,  who  are  satisfied  that 
there  is  nothing  here  that  they  want,  all  the  plate  and  other 
valuables  having  long  since  been  removed  to  Richmond,  and  are 
now  beyond  the  reach  of  any  Northern  marauders  who  may  wish 
for  their  possession.  WIFE  OF  ROBERT  LEE, 

General  C.  S.  A. 


The  Peninsular  Campaign.  197 

Instead  of  not  noticing  her  insulting  and  impudent  com- 
munication, a  guard  was  established  over  the  house  and 
grounds  for  the  protection  of  the  property  as  well  as  for  her- 
self and  family. 

After  two  hours'  sleep  we  continued  the  march,  and  ar- 
rived at  i  P.M.  on  the  i4th,  at  Tun  stall's  Station,  about 
five  miles  from  the  White  House,  having  marched  eleven 
miles  under  a  scorching  sun.  The  enemy  turned  off  from 
this  point,  and  finally  crossed  the  Chickahominy  by  Long 
Bridge,  having  made  the  entire  circuit  of  the  army,  thus  ex- 
posing the  weakness  of  Gen.  McClellan's  right.  They  killed 
several  teamsters  and  cavalrymen,  and  a  sutler ;  burned 
fourteen  army  wagons  and  their  contents,  and  two  schoon- 
ers laden  with  forage  ;  cut  the  telegraph,  and  commenced 
pulling  up  the  railroad  track.  They  also  fired  into  a  train  of 
our  sick  and  wounded.  This  was  about  the  whole  of  the 
damage  done  by  Stuart  in  his  celebrated  raid,  beside  expos- 
ing the  weakness  of  our  right  wing. 

After  a  short  rest,  the  regiment  started  back  to  camp,  the 
lame  and  laggard  left  to  follow  at  will,  as  it  was  a  forced 
march  throughout.  Notwithstanding  this,  we  were  left  in  the 
rear  of  the  enemy  as  witnesses  of  the  burning  wagons  they  left 
in  their  path.  We  halted  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
cooked  some  coffee,  and  continued  the  march,  arriving  in 
camp  at  forty  minutes  past  7  A.M.  of  Sunday,  the  i5th, 
having  marched  about  forty-six  miles  in  thirty-six  hours.  The 
morning  was  a  beautiful  one  ;  the  moon  rose  about  mid- 
night, and  there  was  a  cool,  refreshing  breeze.  The  troops 
on  this  tramp,  besides  the  Fifth,  were  the  loth  New  York, 
ist  Connecticut,  Rush's  Lancers,  and  four  pieces  of  Weeden's 
Rhode  Island  battery. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE    SEVEN  DAYS*    RETREAT — BATTLE    OF   GAINES' 
MILL. 

ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER  HILL  ;  THEN  AND  Now — FREEDOM 
AGAINST  SLAVERY — SANITARY  CONDITION  OF  THE  REGIMENT — PICKET  DUTY — 
A  SABBATH  JOURNAL — DEATH  OF  SERGEANT  REYNOLDS— SEVEN  DAYS'  RE- 
TREAT—FIFTH CORPS  ENGAGED — BATTLE  OF  GAINES'  MILL — DEATH  OF  CAPT. 
PARTRIDGE — COLOR-SERGEANT  BERRIAN — A  CHARGE  IN  THE  WOODS — A  REBEL 
TRICK — THE  FIELD  AT  NIGHT — LOSSES — TESTIMONY  OF  THE  OFFICERS — OF- 
FICIAL REPORTS  —  CONFEDERATE  REPORTS — INCIDENTS — WM.  MCDOWELL  — 
"DAVE"  BURNS  —  WALTER  S.  COLBY  —  FRANCIS  SPFLLMAN  —  SAD  SEPARA- 
TIONS— COLONEL  WARREN'S  REPORT — GENERAL  SYKES'  REPORT. 

Tuesday,  June  17,  1862. — The  anniversary  of  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill  was,  to  our  regiment,  one  of  comparative  inac- 
tivity, nothing  having  occurred  to  give  special  significance  or 
importance  to  the  day  distinguished  in  the  history  of  the 
Union  for  a  conflict  which  gave  so  much  of  character  and 
impress  to  the  impending  struggle  for  independence  and 
liberty.  Yet  no  one  of  all  the  great  army  was  an  indifferent 
observer  of  the  day.  The  American  soldier  remembered  the 
story  of  Warren  and  his  heroes,  and  the  soldier  of  foreign 
birth,  who  was  fighting  for  his  adopted  home,  learned,  if  he 
had  not  before,  the  meaning  of  the  event,  and  felt  stronger 
for  the  struggle  before  him.  The  century  was  nearing  its 
close,  and  the  feeble  colonies  of  that  day  had  grown  up  into 
a  nation  of  independent  States,  whose  power,  grandeur,  and 
civilization  rivaled  that  of  the  oldest  nations  of  the  world, 
and  commanded  the  unanimous  homage  of  mankind. 

All  around  us  and  covering  the  adjacent  plain  for  miles 
was  an  immense  camp.  There  were  assembled  here  scores 
(198) 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.      199 

of  thousands  of  brave  men  waiting  and  watching  another 
army  of  equally  brave  men,  in  about  equal  numbers,  and 
preparing  for  some  great  encounter  which  might  decide  the 
issue  of  the  momentous  question  which  had  brought  them 
from  homes  and  firesides,  and  from  the  progress  and  splendid 
developments  of  peace  to  the  cruel  and  barbarous  arbitration 
of  war  and  blood.  There  were  assembled  in  other  camps, 
and  on  other  fields  in  various  parts  of  the  Union,  vast  num- 
bers of  men  not  less  brave  and  not  less  determined,  and  the 
armies  who  thus  were  flashing  their  blades  in  the  sunlight 
were  more  in  number  than  all  the  able-bodied  men  in  the 
colonies  who  rejoiced  over  the  achievements  of  Bunker  Hill. 
But  the  issue  of  to-day  was  not  less  vital  than  that  of  the  four- 
score years  passed  away,  and  the  people  of  the  next  century 
will  no  less  honor  the  men  who  surrendered  their  all  on  the 
altar  of  their  country.  The  interests  of  slavery  that  in- 
spired the  war  were  compelled  to  surrender  to  the  grander 
behests  of  freedom  ;  and  while  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
brave  men  died  in  obedience  to  the  imperialism  of  their 
leaders  in  behalf  of  slavery,  it  can  never  be  forgotten  that 
slavery  made  the  attack,  and  in  the  contest  perished.  The 
system,  which  was  itself  a  perpetual  war  against  humanity, 
fell  in  its  attack  upon  the  free  institutions  under  which  it 
had  grown  into  such  colossal  strength.  Although  we  were 
idle  for  the  day  in  camp,  amid  its  routine  the  sound  of  dis- 
tant thunder,  borne  by  the  winds,  told  us  that  the  struggle 
was  continued  by  some  other  portion  of  our  wide-spread 
army  of  freedom. 

On  Wednesday,  the  i8th,  some  of  our  companies  returned 
from  picket.  They  were  posted  on  the  Richmond  side  of 
the  Chickahorniny,  within  eighty  yards  of  the  enemy's  pick- 
ets. As  soon  as  they  were  posted,  the  enemy  opened  from 
different  points,  but  the  men  kept  themselves  sheltered  be- 
hind old  trees  and  logs,  some  of  them  being  up  to  their 
waists  in  water,  but  none  of  them  were  struck,  though  the 


2OO         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

balls  whistled  very  close,  often  striking  within  a  few  feet. 
The  firing  was  continued  by  both  sides  during  the  day,  and 
toward  evening  an  additional  interest  was  given  to  the 
scene  by  an  artillery  duel,  which  took  place  to  the  right. 
The  firing  was  continued  all  night  at  intervals,  and  until 
they  were  relieved  in  the  morning.  While  passing  over  the 
brow  of  a  hill  on  their  return  to  camp  they  were  made  a 
target  for  the  enemy's  shell,  but  none  were  injured. 

The  sanitary  condition  of  the  regiment  continued  about 
the  same  as  usual.  Some  of  the  officers  were  absent  on  the 
sick-list,  and  a  number  of  the  men  were  in  the  hospitals. 
The  locality  in  which  we  were  placed,  and  the  want  of 
shelter,  day  or  night,  with  the  continuous  exposure  to  the 
heavy  rains  alternating  with  scorching  heat,  and  the  dense 
malarial  atmosphere,  made  an  ordinary  sanitary  condition 
an  impossibility. 

On  Thursday,  the  iptb,  we  were  blessed  with  a  supply  of 
shelter  tents,  giving  room  for  two  men  in  each,  but  open 
front  and  rear.  From  the  time  the  regiment  landed  on  the 
Peninsula,  with  the  exception  of  the  three  weeks  spent  in 
front  of  Yorktown,  they  had  been  destitute  of  shelter,  except 
such  as  could  be  improvised  from  the  branches  of  trees 
lashed  together  and  plastered  with  mud  for  mortar,  or  by 
spreading  their  ponchos  over  low  branches  of  trees  and  lying 
under  them. 

Picket  duty  for  nearly  the  whole  of  the  regiment  was  or- 
dered on  Friday,  the  2oth.  Seven  companies  went  into  the 
swamps  for  twenty-four  hours.  In  this  service  the  artillery 
had  a  part,  and  a  duel  between  the  opposing  batteries  was  al- 
most always  inevitable.  The  armies  were  very  close,  and  a 
general  engagement  might  ensue  at  any  moment,  and  great 
vigilance  was  necessary  to  guard  against  a  surprise.  Six 
shell  dropped  into  our  camp,  which  was  hidden  from  the 
view  of  the  enemy  by  the  woods,  but  their  fire  may  have 
been  guided  by  the  smoke  of  our  camp  fires  rising  above  the 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat — Gaines   Mill.      201 

trees.  The  first  shell  went  directly  over  the  camp,  and 
passed  so  close  that  some  of  the  men  dropped  down,  ex- 
pecting it  to  burst.  It  killed  a  regular.  Another  shell  burst 
in  the  ist  Connecticut  camp,  lying  near  the  Fifth,  and  killed 
one  of  their  men.  About  7  P.M.  Companies  G  and  H  were 
ordered  to  move  in  light  marching  order,  with  details  from 
other  regiments  to  build  a  battery  for  the  protection  of  the 
artillery  on  picket.  The  rifles  were  loaded  as  usual,  and 
ambulances  in  attendance,  as  they  were  liable  to  a  sudden 
attack  at  any  time.  They  succeeded  partially  without  acci- 
dent or  discovery,  but  the  day  dawned  before  it  was  quite 
completed,  and  obliged  them  to  discontinue  their  labors,  to 
avoid  being  discovered  by  the  enemy  and  shelled.  After 
masking  it  with  small  trees  and  boughs,  they  retired. 

Sunday,  the  22d,  gave  us  rest  from  the  bloody  work  of 
war.  There  was  very  little  picket  firing,  and  the  day  was 
unusually  quiet.  The  regiment  was  very  much  reduced  in 
numbers,  and  had  not  over  five  hundred  men  fit  for  duty  out 
of  the  nine  hundred  who  left  Baltimore  to  enter  on  the  cam- 
paign. Many  were  mere  shadows  flitting  about  camp.  Pri- 
vate Hunter,  of  Company  A,  died  in  the  morning,  of  typhoid 
fever,  and  the  funeral,  which  took  place  in  the  evening,  was 
largely  attended.  General  Sykes  and  staff,  Colonel  Warren, 
and  other  officers  were  present.  His  death  was  soon  fol- 
lowed by  that  of  our  color-bearer,  Sergeant  Wm.  T.  Reynolds, 
of  Company  K,  who  died  on  Monday,  the  23d.  His  re- 
mains were  sent  to  his  friends  in  New  York,  who  were  wealthy. 
At  i  A.M  ,  on  the  24th,  a  fearful  thunder-storm  burst  over 
the  camp,  by  which  everything  was  thoroughly  drenched,  and 
soon  afterward  the  men  were  called  out  and  ordered  to  hold 
themselves  in  readiness,  under  arms,  to  repel  an  attack 
threatened  to  be  made  by  the  enemy  at  daylight,  but  which 
did  not  occur,  although  firing  was  heard  in  the  direction  of 
Mechanicsville.  The  camp  remained  quietly  listening  to  the 
reports  of  the  distant  guns  that  were  occasionally  heard,  until 


2O2         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  25th,  on  which  day  we  were  favored  with  a  strong  breeze, 
which  made  the  atmosphere  cool  and  refreshing.  About 
noon  we  were  ordered  to  fall  in,  in  light  marching  order. 
We  stacked  our  arms,  and  felt  assured  that  there  was  earnest 
work  before  us. 

On  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the  26th,  the  clear  sky  and 
refreshing  breeze  were  a  pleasant  prelude  to  its  duties.  We 
received  orders  to  pack  knapsacks  and  be  ready  to  move  with 
three  days'  rations.  Various  orders  were  received  during  the 
day,  showing  a  state  of  uncertainty  as  to  the  movements  to 
be  made.  There  was  very  heavy  firing  in  the  afternoon 
about  3  P.M.,  which  lasted  until  9  P.M.,  on  the  extreme  right, 
where  an  engagement  was  going  on.  Sykes'  division  was  at 
length  ordered  to  inarch.  We  left  camp  and  went  in  the 
direction  of  the  firing,  which  was  at  Mechanicsville,  carrying 
overcoats,  but  leaving  knapsacks  in  camp,  under  the  charge 
of  the  provost  guard,  and  laid  in  a  corn-field  under  arms 
until  about  4  A.M.  of  the  27th,  in  support  of  our  forces  en- 
gaged. In  the  early  evening  the  firing  was  very  heavy. 
The  night  was  beautiful,  a  full  moon  casting  its  beams  over 
the  field,  which  was  to  many  gathered  there  the  scene  of 
their  last  hours  on  earth.  On  the  morrow,  at  the  same  hour, 
that  s?nne  calm,  peaceful  moon,  if  not  hidden  by  the  passing 
clouds,  would  probably  shine  on  thousands  of  the  ghastly 
dead  and  the  mangled  forms  of  the  wounded.  As  the  night  ad- 
vanced, the  din  of  battle  at  a  short  distance  ceased,  and  all  was 
quietness  and  seeming  peace.  But  it  was  only  the  prelude 
of  the  storm  which  was  to  follow  on  the  morrow,  and  hurl 
all  its  power  and  fierceness  on  the  Fifth  Corps.  Many  of 
the  5th  Regiment,  who  were  lying  there  that  night,  full  of  life, 
health,  and  strength,  at  the  same' hour  on  the  morrow's  eve 
were  lying  in  the  sleep  of  death,  to  wake  not  again  until  the 
last  reveille.  Some  of  them  had  a  premonition  of  their  fate. 
Captain  Partridge  appeared  to  be  in  an  unusually  serene  frame 
of  mind  ;  he  would  exclaim  at  times  to  Lieutenant  McCon- 


The  Seven  Days    Retreat — Gained  Mill.      203 

nell,  as  he  lay  gazing  at  the  moonlit  scene,  "  Oh  !  is  not  this 
beautiful !  Is  not  this  a  glorious  night ! "  He  had  given 
directions  as  to  the  disposition  of  his  body  in  the  event  of 
his  falling  on  the  field,  and  remarked  that  he  would  not  live 
to  fight  in  many  battles. 

The  morning  of  Friday,  the  27th  day  of  June,  1862,  broke 
hot  and  sultry,  and  found  Generals  Porter  and  McCall  (the 
latter  of  whom  and  been  fighting  the  day  before)  stripped  and 
ready  for  the  fight.  The  wagons  and  heavy  siege-guns  had 
nearly  all  been  removed  to  the  other  side  of  the  Chickahominy 
during  the  previous  night,  and  it  now  remained  for  General 
Porter  to  select  his  ground  and  place  his  troops  in  line  for 
the  deadly  affray.  The  position  selected  was  a  strong  one. 
A  small,  curving  stream  (Powhite  Creek)  empties  into  the 
Chickahominy,  the  banks  of  which  are,  in  most  places, 
bordered  with  a  fringe  of  swamp,  but  in  others  rise  steeply, 
the  bed  of  the  stream  forming  a  ravine.  East  of  this  the 
ground  rises  in  a  gradual  slope,  crossed  by  gullies,  and 
spreads  into  an  undulating  plain,  with  patches  of  woodland 
and  clearings.  The  line  of  battle  was  formed  on  the  higher 
ground,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  stream,  and  was  in  the  shape 
of  the  arc  of  a  circle,  covering  the  approaches  to  Wood- 
bury's*  and  Alexander's  Bridge,  which  connected  the  right 
wing  of  the  army  with  the  troops  on  the  opposite,  or  Rich- 
mond, side  of  the  Chickahominy.  Butterfield  held  the 
extreme  left  of  the  line  extending  to  the  swamp  of  the 
Chickahominy,  which  was  swept  by  our  artillery  on  both 
sides  of  the  river  ;  then  came  Martindale,  occupying  the 
edge  of  the  Powhite  wood  ;  then  Griffin,  deployed  across 
the  forest ;  all  these  belonging  to  MorelFs  division.  On  the 
right  of  them  was  Sykes'  division,  which,  partly  in  woods 


*Woodbury's  Bridge,  named  after  Colonel  D.  P.  Woodbury,  of  the  4th  Michigan 
Regiment,  was  the  most  extensive  structure  of  the  kind  built  during  the  siege.  It 
was,  with  its  approaches,  a  mile  long,  and  in  width  fifteen  feet ;  and  was  constructed 
by  his  regiment  in  six  days,  during  three  of  which  it  rained  in  torrents. 


2O4        Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

and  partly  in  open  ground,  extended  in  rear  of  Cold 
Harbor.  It  was  composed  of  Warren's  brigade  (the  5th 
and  loth  New  York)  on  the  left,  and  next  to  Griffin,  next 
to  whom  were  the  two  brigades  of  regulars  ;  this  composed 
the  first  line.  Behind  this  was  McCall's  division  of  Penn- 
sylvania troops,  composed  of  Meade's  brigade  on  the  left, 
with  Reynolds'  on  the  right,  observing  the  road  that  led  from 
Cold  Harbor  and  Dispatch  Station  to  Simmer's  Bridge ; 
Seymour's  brigade  on  the  right  and  rear  in  reserve  to  the 
second  line ;  General  P.  St.  G.  Cooke,  with  five  companies 
of  the  5th  Regular  Cavalry  and  two  squadrons  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Lancers,  were  posted  behind  a  hill  in  the  rear  near 
the  Chickahominy  to  aid  in  watching  the  left  flank  and  de- 
fending the  slope  to  the  river.  Sixty  pieces  of  artillery  were 
advantageously  posted  in  the  intervals  between  the  divisions 
and  brigades  upon  the  surrounding  eminences,  in  addition  to 
Tidball's  Horse  Battery,  which  was  posted  on  the  right  of 
Sykes,  and  Robertson's  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line  in  the 
valley  of  the  Chickahominy.  The  line  of  battle  extended 
for  more  than  two  miles,  and  Porter  had  in  all  under  his 
command  at  this  time,  including  infantry,  artillery,  and 
cavalry,  about  27,000  men.  "It  was,  in  fact,  27,000  against 
60,000,  an  overweight  of  opposition  that  lent  to  the  task 
assigned  to  Porter  almost  the  character  of  a. forlorn  hope."* 
The  Confederates  marched  to  the  attack  in  three  heavy 
columns,  Longstreet's  and  A.  P.  Hill's  divisions,  numbering 
24,000  men,  parallel  with  and  near  the  Chickahominy  River, 
Hill  in  advance.  D.  H.  Hill's  division,  10,000  strong,  about 
a  mile  further  inland,  bore  toward  the  Confederate  left  to 
join  Jackson,  and  formed  a  junction  with  the  latter  at  Be- 
thesda  Church  ;  while  Jackson,  30,000  strong,  moved  directly 
toward  Cold  Harbor.  In  addition  there  were  about  2,000 
cavalry,  under  Stuart,  making  in  all,  according  to  Confeder- 
ate reports,  nearly  70,000  men. 

*  Swinton  (p.  148). 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat— Games'  Mill.      205 

About  2  P.M.,  A.  P.  Hill's  division,  14,000  strong,  advanced 
to  the  attack. 

The  Fifth  Regiment  was  ordered  back  to  camp  in  the 
woods,  at  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  27th;  slung  their 
knapsacks,  and  about  7  A.M.  turned  off  on  the  road  which  led 
toward  Cold  Harbor,  passing  over  familiar  ground.  The  men 
did  not  know  the  reason  for  this  change,  but  supposed  that 
the  enemy  were  making  a  movement  to  get  in  the  rear  of  the 
army. 

After  marching  and  countermarching  about  four  miles,  and 
making  several  halts,  they  reached  a  piece  of  high  ground, 
where  a  large  number  of  troops  were  getting  into  position. 
Colonel  Warren,  in  command  of  the  5th  and  loth  New 
York  regiments,  which  composed  the  Third  brigade  of  Gen. 
Sykes'  division,  Lieutenant-Colonel  H.  Duryea,  acting  in 
command  of  the  Fifth,  took  up  a  position  well  to  the  front 
of  the  regulars,  facing  the  line  of  the  enemy's  approach,  the 
Tenth  being  on  the  left  of  the  Fifth.  The  3d,  4th,  i2th,  and 
1 4th  regiments  of  United  States  infantry,  First  brigade,  un- 
der the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Buchanan,  formed  a 
second  line  of  battle  on  the  slope  of  the  high  ground  to  the 
right  and  rear.  The  i4th  infantry  were  posted  in  an  or- 
chard to  the  extreme  right ;  the  Twelfth  to^heir  left  front,  and 
the  5th  Zouaves. to  the  left  front  of  the  Twelfth,  and  nearest 
to  the  enemy,  and  consequently  were  the  first  to  be  at- 
tacked. Between  the  5th  and  i2th  regiments  there  was  a 
large  interval. 

Colonel  Warren  selected  his  position  with  great  care,  plac- 
ing his  brigade  just  below  the  brow  of  a  slight  eminence  in 
open  ground,  there  being  a  small  depression  in  the  rear  of 
his  line,  through  which  ran  a  stream  of  water  bordered  by 
marshy  ground.  The  rifles  were  sighted  to  reach  a  pine 
wood  in  front  at  an  easy  killing  distance.  The  provost 
guard,  which  was  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Whitney, 
who  had  been  left  behind  for  the  purpose  of  burning  the  offi- 


206        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

cers'  and  sutlers'  tents,  and  any  property  that  could  not  be 
removed,  joined  the  regiment,  and  reported  that  the  enemy 
shelled  the  camp  before  they  left.  The  sick  turned  out  in  a 
hurry  and  were  obliged  to  hobble  to  the  rear  as  best  they 
could  ;  some  of  them,  however,  were  able  to  make  excellent 
time.  We  were  now  certain  that  a  battle  was  imminent. 
All  the  fighting  men  on  any  detail  joined  their  companies 
voluntarily,  among  whom  was  James  Tuits  (the  butcher), 
from  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  with  his  Sharp's  rifle  ; 
Sergeant  Joe  Vail  and  Jack  Whigam,  of  the  Provost,  who 
determined  to  take  their  full  share  of  honor  in  the  victory,  or 
suffer  their  share  in  any  disaster  that  might  happen  ;  and 
Luke  Gilligan,  from  the  hospital  tent,  who  was  recovering 
from  typhoid  fever.  His  body  was  weak,  but  his  spirit 
strong,  but  ere  night  it  had  fled,  and  his  lifeless  body  was 
lying  on  the  battle-field. 

On  the  right  of  the  pine  wood  was  a  clump  of  evergreens, 
and  beyond  them  and  in  the  woods  was  a  ravine.  Beyond 
the  evergreens,  and  stretching  back  about  four  hundred 
yards,  was  an  open  field,  bordered  on  its  further  side  by  woods, 
and  at  some  distance  from  our  extreme  right  were  thick 
woods  running  perpendicular  to  our  line,  and  to  the  rear 
toward  the  position  of  some  regular  battalions. 

Company  E,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  John 
Collins,  were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  went  out  into 
the  evergreens  and  wood  on  the  right,  and  before  long  the 
sound  of  their  rifle-shots  fell  on  the  ears  of  the  men.  Com- 
pany I,  commanded  by  Captain  Partridge,  occupied  the  pine 
woods  directly  in  front  of  our  position. 

After  waiting  in  line  of  battle  a  short  time,  a  Confederate 
officer  and  staff  were  seen  to  ride  to  the  edge  of  the  further 
woods  beyond  the  open  field,  and  directly  after  them  a  bat- 
tery* dashed  up,  unlimbered,  and  a  puff  of  smoke  was  fol- 


*  Crenshaw's,  which  was  roughly  handled  during  the  engagement. 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — G awes'  Mill.      207 

lowed  by  the  rushing  sound  of  a  shell.  In  the  meantime  the 
skirmishers  of  the  regiment  had  encountered  the  enemy  in 
force  lying  behind  a  ridge,  who  opened  fire  upon  them, 
which  was  returned.  Lieutenant  Collins  ordered  them  to 
fall  back  on  the  regiment,  but  in  endeavoring  to  do  so  he 
lost  his  way,  and  was  conducting  his  company  toward  his 
right,  where  they  would  all  have  been  taken  prisoners  had 
it  not  been  their  good  fortune  to  meet  Lieutenant  Porter, 
in  command  of  the  skirmish  line  of  the  regulars,  who  had 
just  been  wounded  by  a  shot  from  the  enemy  posted  in  the 
direction  that  Collins  was  leading  his  men.  Being  warned 
in  time,  they  turned  to  the  left  through  the  woods,  and  struck 
a  narrow  road,  which  they  took,  and  passed  around  the  left 
flank  and  rear  of  the  regiment,  and  took  their  proper  place 
in  the  line  on  the  right. 

The  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Times,  in  speaking 
of  the  battle,  stated  that  "  the  Duryee  Zouaves  were  the 
first  attacked." 

A.  P.  Hill,  commanding  twenty-six  regiments  and  six  bat- 
teries, distributed  in  six  brigades,  says  in  his  report : 

"  I  had  delayed  the  attack  until  I  could  hear  from  Longstreet, 
and  this  now  occurring,  the  order  was  given.  This  was  about 
half-past  2  P.M.  Gregg,  then  Branch,  then  Anderson,  succes- 
sively became  engaged.  Branch  being  hard  pressed,  Pender  was 
sent  to  his  relief.  Field  and  Archer  were  also  directed  to  do 

their  part  in  this  murderous  contest Gregg  having  before 

him  (what  he  pleases  to  mention  as)  the  vaunted  Zouaves  and 
Sykes  regulars General  Maxcy  Gregg's  brigade  in  ad- 
vance, made  the  handsomest  charge  I  have  seen  during-  the 
whole  war." 

It  was  composed  wholly  of  South  Carolina  regiments,  viz.: 
the  ist  Rifles,  Colonel  J.  Foster  Marshall,  about  537  men  ; 
ist  regiment,  Colonel  D.  H.  Hamilton  ;  i2th,  Colonel  D. 
Barnes;  ijth,  Colonel  O.  E.  Edwards;  i.4th,  Colonel  S. 


208         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

McGowan.  The  ist  Rifles  had  8t  killed  and  234  wounded, 
nearly  all  their  officers  being  among  the  number.  The  ist 
Volunteers  were  badly  cut  up,  after  fighting  bravely,  and 
obliged  to  retire.  All  of  their  color-guard  having  fallen,  the 
brave  Colonel  Hamilton  bore  the  colors  himself ;  their  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, Smith,  was  mortally  wounded.  The  Twelfth 
was  routed  after  severe  loss,  and  Colonel  Barnes  severely 
wounded  in  the  thigh.  The  Thirteenth,  in  support,  also  suf- 
fered heavily,  and  the  Fourteenth,  which  came  up  in  the 
thick  of  the  battle,  reported  a  loss  received  here  and  subse- 
quently of  200,  their  Colonel,  McGowan,  receiving  a  wound 
from  which  he  died,  and  their  Major  and  many  officers  were 
killed  and  wounded.  The  loss  in  the  brigade  was  over  900 
in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  shot  and  shell  now  began  to  fly  in  rather  dangerous 
proximity,  and  the  rushing  sound  they  made  was  anything 
but  agreeable  music.  The  men  were  ordered  to  lie  down, 
which  they  did,  in  an  effort  to  make  themselves  as  diminu- 
tive as  possible.  There  was  not  a  man  in  the  line  that  could 
complain  of  being  too  thin  at  this  particular  time.  A  section 
(2  guns)  of  Captain  Edwards'  3d  U.  S.  battery  of  lo-pound 
Parrotts  moved  up  close  to  the  right  of  the  line  and  opened 
in  return,  but  they  were  too  much  exposed,  and  were  ordered 
to  withdraw  to  their  original  position  on  the  hill  in  the  rear. 
Colonel  Warren  ordered  the  men  of  Company  E  to  try  and 
pick  off  the  enemy's  artillerists  ;  as  they  were  armed  with 
Sharp's  rifles,  their  fire  appeared  to  have  some  effect.  The 
men  placed  their  knapsacks  in  front,  hoping  they  might  be 
of  some  slight  protection  from  the  pieces  of  flying  shell.  The 
solid  shot,  shell,  grape,  and  canister  plowed  up  the  ground 
around  them,  throwing  the  dirt  and  sand  into  their  faces; 
while  shell,  bursting  in  the  marshy  ditch  in  the  rear,  threw 
the  mud  thirty  feet  in  the  air.  A  number  of  the  men  were 
killed  and  wounded,  and  many  had  narrow  escapes.  A  solid 
shot  struck  the  stock  of  the  rifle  of  Sergeant  Chambers,  dash- 


The  Seven  Days    Retreat — Games'  Mill.      209 

ing  it  to  pieces,  and  tumbling  him  and  Lieutenant  Eichler  over 
one  another,  covering  them  with  dirt,  but,  strangely  enough, 
without  any  injury  to  either.  About  the  same  time  Lieuten- 
ant Agnus  received  a  severe  wound  from  a  piece  of  shell, 
and  commenced  rolling  over  like  a  barrel  toward  the  regulars 
in  the  rear.  The  men  watched  him  occasionally  with  much 
interest  until  they  saw  him  get  into  their  lines,  where  he  was 
taken  care  of.  One  of  the  men  had  a  favorite  dog  that  had 
followed  him  from  camp,  who  amused  himself  by  chasing  after 
the  solid  shot,  but  he  was  wounded  and  retired  from  the  field. 
During  this  time,  Edwards',  Weed's,  Martin's,  and  other 
batteries  opened  on  the  enemy's  guns  and  infantry,  some  of 
them  firing  very  close  over  the  heads  of  the  men  of  the 
Fifth.  The  shrieks  of  the  balls  through  the  air  were  contin- 
uous, but  the  men  kept  cool,  for  they  knew  there  was  no  re- 
course but  to  lie  still  and  obey  orders.  The  enemy  ad- 
vanced at  one  time  toward  our  right,  but  a  vigorous  fire  by 
companies,  and  then  by  file,  drove  them  back.  They  did 
not  seem  inclined  to  advance  and  begin  the  long-expected 
attack  at  close  quarters  ;  but  some  of  them  had  crept  up  into 
the  woods  on  the  right,  and  were  picking  off  the  men.  Ser- 
geant S.  B.  Parker  had  received  a  severe  wound  ;  Soden,  of 
Company  E,  a  mortal  wound  from  a  piece  of  shell;  Lieutenant 
Collins  had  also  been  struck,  and  Winslow's  arm  fell  power- 
less by  his  side,  yet  he  made  a  strong  effort  to  again  load  his 
piece,  but  it  was  out  of  his  power.  The  Confederate  bat- 
tery was  doing  so  much  execution  that  Colonel  Warren  or- 
dered the  command  to  march  by  the  left  flank  through  the 
depression  in  the  ground  in  the  rear  to  a  cut  in  a  road  that 
led  along  at  right  angles  to  the  former  position.  There  was 
not  room  for  the  whole  regiment  to  lay  in  line  and  keep 
covered  in  this  cut,  so  one  wing  was  doubled  behind  the 
other.  On  top  of  the  bank  was  a  brush  fence,  through 
which  they  could  watch  any  movement  of  the  enemy  if  they 
came  out  into  the  open  ground. 


2io         Fifth  New    York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

Martin's  Massachusetts  battery  of  Napoleon  guns  was 
posted  on  the  bank  to  the  rear  of  the  new  position,  and 
were  firing  over  the  heads  of  the  men,  who  were  repeatedly 
admonished  to  keep  their  heads  down  ;  but  several  of  them, 
not  heeding  the  advice,  were  placed  hors  du  combat  by  the 
canister  shot  from  these  guns.  One  of  the  Captains  went  lo 
Colonel  Warren,  who  was  sitting  on  his  horse  to  the  left  of 
the  regiment,  on  the  top  of  the  bank,  and  told  him  that  their 
own  battery  was  killing  the  men,  A  remonstrance  was  made 
to  the  Captain  of  the  battery,  about  which  there  are  so  many 
versions,  that  I  decline  to  state  any  of  them.  In  a  little 
while  a  column  *  of  the  enemy  were  seen  marching  by  the 
flank  in  formation  of  fours,  through  the  strip  of  woods  on  the 
other  side  of  the  field  that  ran  along  toward  the  position  of 
the  regulars.  Captain  B.  reported  it  to  Colonel  Warren, 
who  replied,  "  Yes,  Capt.  B..  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you 
for  the  information,  but  have  I  not  eyes  as  well  as  you?" 
The  Captain  returned  to  his  company,  and  at  the  same  in- 
stant the  guns  poured  their  grape  and  canister  shot  into  the 
flank  of  the  enemy's  column,  and  they  beat  a  hasty  retreat, 
where  they  were  out  of  range  of  the  fire. 

Soon  after,  Lieut. -Colonel  Hiram  Duryea,  acting  in  com- 
mand of  the  regiment,  said  that  the  enemy  we  had  already 
faced  were  coming  out  of  the  woods,  and  were  in  the  open 
field  where  he  wanted  them  ;  but  it  was  only  a  line  of  skir- 
mishers. They  were,  however,  followed  up  closely  by  their 
first  line  of  battle,  who  made  their  appearance  advancing  at 
double-quick  out  "of  the  wood  and  over  the  open  ground. 
The  men  watched  them  through  the  brush  fence.  After 
they  were  well  out  in  the  field,  Colonel  Duryee  cried,  "Now, 
men,  your  time  has  come  ;  get  up  and  do  your  duty  ! "  The 
regiment  jumped  up  as  one  man,  and  down  went  the  fence 
on  the  bank  in  front,  and  the  order  was  given  to  left  wheel 
On  account  of  one  wing  being  doubled  behind  the  other  in 

*  Eight  companies  of  the  i2th  South  Carolina. 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat — Games'  Mill.      2 1 1 

the  road,  the  order  was  given  for  one  wing  to  march  double- 
quick  by  the  flank  and  form  on  the  other,  to  make  one  line 
of  battle,  which  was  performed  in  good  order  in  the  face  of 
the  enemy,  who  were  within  about  five  hundred  feet.  In  the 
meantime,  Company  I,  on  the  left,  charged  over  the  field  in 
advance  of  the  main  body  to  the  other  side  of  the  ditch  or 
gully,  along  the  borders  of  which  were  bushes,  to  draw  their 
fire  ;  they  waited  until  the  enemy  had  got  quite  close  to  them, 
and  then,  by  order  of  Captain  Partridge,  they  picked  out 
their  men  from  right  to  left  and  poured  in  a  murderous  volley 
from  their  Sharp's  rifles,  which  cut  large  gaps  in  their  ranks 
and  made  them  come  to  a  sudden  halt.  They  immediately 
fell  flat  on  the  ground,  but  suffered  severely  in  turn,  from  the 
enemy's  fire,  but  then  loaded  again  quickly  and  jumped  up 
and  gave  them  another  volley;  this  was  repeated  four  or 
five  times,  the  enemy  closing  up  and  then  made  a  charge  on 
Company  I.  Captain  Partridge,  before  this,  had  given  them 
orders  when  they  fell  back,  to  join  the  regiment  according  to 
their  best  judgment  if  they  got  scattered,  either  on  the  left  or 
the  right  of  it,  whichever  was  the  nearest  point.  He  had  just 
given  the  order,  "  Skirmishers,  retreat  !  "  when  Sergeant  Stra- 
chan  saw  him  lift  his  hand  to  his  side  ;  he  jumped  for  him,  but 
the  Captain  fell,  opening  his  mouth  as  if  to  speak,  out  of  which 
rushed  a  stream  of  blood  ;  he  was  shot  through  the  heart. 

Hannon  had  seen  a  Confederate,  wearing  a  long  beard, 
taking  aim  at  the  Captain,  but  could  not  cap  his  piece  in 
time  to  fire  at  him  before  the  fatal  bullet  sped  on  its  errand 
of  death.  As  the  Captain  fell,  Strachan  and  ten  others 
turned  instinctively  and  fired  at  the  Confederate,  and  he  fell 
dead  ;  and  it  was  afterward  ascertained  that  his  breast  was 
pierced  by  eight  balls.  The  Captain's  death  was  avenged. 
His  body  was  afterward  taken  charge  of  by  Lieutenant  Me- 
Connell  and  carried  to  the  rear,  and  delivered  to  Quarter- 
master Thomas.  On  his  person  were  found  some  important 
papers,  which  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  Colonel  Warren. 


212         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

While  Company  I  was  so  nobly  acting  its  part,  the  regi- 
ment had  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  the  order  rung  out  to 
charge  with  the  bayonet,  when  the  men  made  for  the  Con- 
federate line  at  a  double-quick  to  come  to  close  quarters. 
The  ditch  broke  up  the  order  of  the  line  somewhat,  but  the 
regiment  quickly  formed  again  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy, 
and  after  delivering  a  destructive  fire,  the  order  was  given, 
"  Advance  the  colors  !  advance  the  colors  !  Charge  !  "  The 
men  rushed  forward  with  a  yell,  and  the  enemy  appeared  to 
be  paralyzed  ;  they  evidently  had  not  come  out  of  the  woods 
to  be  driven  back,  but  to  make  a  charge  themselves.  They 
stood  for  a  moment,  but  the  boys  not  wavering  under  their 
fire,  and  showing  that  they  were  determined  to  bayonet  them, 
the  remnant  commenced  to  waver  and  break,  and  finally  ran 
for  the  cover  of  the  woods,  completely  demoralized  and  in  a 
panic.  Some  of  them  stood  until  the  Fifth  were  within  thirty 
yards  of  them,  firing  steadily,  and  with  good  aim.  They  were 
nearly  all  shot  down,  as  many  of  the  men  had  reserved  their 
fire ;  moreover  their  right  wing  received  the  fire  of  a  portion 
of  the  loth  Regiment,  on  our  left ;  they  already  had  suffered 
severely,  especially  in  officers,  from  the  fire  of  artillery  and 
sharp-shooters,  in  their  advance  over  open  ground,  before 
they  reached  the  cover  of  the  pine  wood.  This  regiment  was 
the  ist  South  Carolina  Rifles,  and  were  armed  with  Enfields. 

It  appears,  from  Confederate  reports,  that  Col.  Marshall, 
who  commanded  the  ist  Rifles,  was  ordered  to  charge  the 
battery  we  were  supporting.  He  says  : 

"  Before  giving  the  order  to  advance,  I  called  upon  the  regi- 
ment to  remember  the  State  from  whence  they  came,  to  put  their 
trust  in  God,  and  acquit  themselves  like  men.  At  this  awful  mo- 
ment there  was  not  a  quiver  or  a  pallid  cheek There  was 

a  calmness,  a  settled  determination  on  the  part  of  every  man  to 
do  or  die  in  the  attempt.  I  gave  the  command,  '  Double-quick, 
march  ! '  and,  as  soon  as  we  had  gained  the  old  field,  '  Charge 
bayonets,'  at  the  same  time  deploying  six  companies  to  the  left, 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.     213 

supporting  the  entire  line  of  skirmishers.  As  soon  as. we  emerged 
from  the  pines,  we  were  met  by  a  most  destructive  fire  from  the 
enemy  in  front  and  on  our  left,  and  as  soon  as  we  had  cleared 
about  100  yards  of  the  old  field,  two  heavy  batteries,  on  our  left, 
about  600  yards  off,  poured  into  our  ranks  a  deadly  fire  of  grape 
and  canister.  Here  it  was  that  my  Adjutant,  J.  B.  Sloan,  was 
shot  down  by  my  side,  while  gallantly  aiding  me  and  urging  on 
the  charge  of  the  regiment.  Here,  also,  fell  Capt.  R.  A.  Haw- 
thorne, gallantly  leading  his  company.  A  few  paces  further  fell 
Capt.  Henagen,  another  noble  spirit,  leading  his  company ;  close 
by  his  side  fell  his  gallant  Lieutenant  (Brown),  and  farther  fell 
the  gallant  and  patriotic  Lieut.  Samuel  McFall,  and  near  him  fell 
Sergt. -Major  McGhee,  nobly  cheering  the  men  on  to  the  charge. 
My  men,  although  now  under  three  cross-fires,  and  falling  thick 
and  fast  from  one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other,  never  once  fal- 
tered. Finding  no  battery,  they  dashed  on  to  the  woods  in  front," 
etc.  "  Here  my  men  got  the  first  chance  to  exchange  shots,"  etc. 

"While  this  successful  movement  was  going  on,  the  left  wing 
of  my  regiment  was  about  being  outflanked  by  about  500  New 
York  Zouaves,  who  came  down  upon  my  left  in  a  desperate 
charge 

"  I  ordered  my  regiment  to  fall  back  ....  to  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  where  we  entered,  and  then  filing  to  the  right,  conducted 
them  in  safety  down  a  road,  where  I  formed  the  remnant  under 
cover  of  the  hill  in  front  of  the  Zouaves.  Just  as  I  was  forming, 
a  North  Carolina  regiment  came  up,  and  assisted  us  in  giving  a 
complete  check  to  any  further  movement  to  the  enemy  in  this 
quarter.  Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  desperate  charges  I  ever 
witnessed  ;  and  I  feel  thankful  to  a  kind  Providence  that  so  many 
of  us  escaped  to  witness  the  most  complete  triumph  of  our  arms 
in  the  hardest  contested  battle  before  Richmond,  and  the  one 
which  decided  the  fate  of  the  Yankee  army." 

Among  the  losses  Colonel  Marshall  mentions,  in  addition 
to  those  already  noticed,  Major  J.  W.  Livingston,  wounded 
in  the  side  severely ;  Captains  J.  J.  Norton  and  F.  E.  Har- 
rison, wounded  ;  Captain  Miller,  wounded,  and  thirteen  men 
of  his  company  killed  ;  Captain  G.  W.  Cox,  wounded,  and 


214        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

sixteen  men  killed  ;  Lieutenants  William  C.  Davis  and  Lati- 
mer,  wounded,  the  latter  mortally. 

The  Fifth  now  occupied  the  ground  beyond,  where  the  nu- 
merous dead  and  wounded  Confederates  lay,  facing  and  near 
the  wood.  It  was  now  their  turn  to  suffer  severely ;  they 
received  a  volley  from  the  second  and  stronger  line  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  drawn  up  in  the  edge  of  the  wood.  The 
whole  regiment  was  actively  engaged,  firing  very  rapidly,  and 
aiming  low,  two  of  the  companies,  I  and  E,  being  armed  with 
Sharp's  rifles,  the  others  using  a  patent  cartridge,  which  did 
not  require  to  be  torn  open  by  the  teeth,  as  usual,  hence  saved 
time,  consequently  their  fire  was  continuous  and  rapid.  But 
the  fire  from  the  enemy  was  also  incessant  and  well  sustained, 
and  the  battle  raged  fiercely,  but  the  men  of  the  Fifth 
obstinately  held  their  own  and  fought  desperately.  At  times 
they  were  forced  back  and  obliged  to  give  ground,  but  it 
would  be  for  only  a  moment,  as  they  immediately  re-formed 
and  charged  forward  again  and  recovered  their  former  posi- 
tion at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  which  tended  to  demoralize 
their  opponents,  and  saved  loss  to  themselves.  But  flesh 
and  blood  could  not  stand  such  a  fire  much  longer  without 
one  side  or  the  other  giving  way.  Yet  the  Fifth  had  no  idea 
of  being  the  first,  as  long  as  there  was  anybody  left  to  fire  a 
shot.  They,  however,  beheld,  with  dismay,  the  long  line  of 
their  own  killed  and  wounded,  and  their  rapidly  decreasing 
numbers,  while  there  was  no  slackening  of  the  heavy  fire 
from  the  pines,  which  seemed,  to  increase  instead  of  diminish, 
and  there  were  no  signs  of  any  direct  relief  coming.  It  was 
a  critical  moment,  when  Sergt.  John  H.  Benian,  who  carried 
the  regimental  colors,  strode  firmly  thirty  paces  in  front  of 
the  regiment,  planted  the  staff  in  the  ground,  and  looked  de- 
fiantly about  him.*  He  was  immediately  joined  by  Sergt. 
Allison,  who  bore  the  United  States  flag. 

*  John  H.  Berrian  enlisted  as  a  private  May  9, 1861,  and  rose  to  be  Color-Sergeant 
in  charge  of  the  regimental  colors.     In  the  severe  action  of  Games'  Mill,  he  showed 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.      215 

The  Colonel  and  officers  shouted  to  them  to  come  back, 
fearing  that  the  enemy  might  make  a  sudden  onslaught  from 
the  wood,  and  capture  the  flags ;  but  they  were  idle  fears  ; 
they  could  only  have  been  taken  over  the  bodies  of  scores 
of  brave  men,  who  would  have  fought  with  the  bayonet  to  the 
last  to  preserve  them.  When  the  men  of  the  Fifth  saw  the 
bravery  of  this  action,  they  gave  a  terrific  yell — "  a  yell  never 
heard  off  the  battle-field,  so  demoniac  and  horrid  that  men 
in  peaceful  times  can  not  imitate  it " — and  without  orders,  of 
one  accord  rushed  like  demons  into  the  wood  with  the 
bayonet,  and  never  paused  until  they  saw  the  enemy's  line 
completely  broken  and  shattered,  and  flying  to  the  rear, 
some  of  them  being  bayoneted  in  the  retreat,  their  officers 
trying  in  vain  to  rally  their  commands.  Some  of  them  had 
even  thrown  away  their  arms,  and  our  men  made  the  best  of 
their  time  in  picking  them  off  as  fast  as  they  could.  On  our 
right  the  i2th  regular  infantry  had  become  engaged,  and  the 
Sixth  moved  up  to  our  support,  and  were  placed  in  position 
by  Colonel  Warren. 

It  was  now  after  4  P.M.  ;  the  recall  was  sounded,  but  some 
of  the  Fifth  did  not  come  out  of  the  wood  for  some  time. 
The  enemy,  in  the  meantime,  had  taken  refuge  in  and  be- 
yond the  ravine.  A  long  line  of  the  Pennsylvania  Reserves 
were  advancing  in  line  of  battle,  and  had  nearly  reached  the 
wood,  and  were  about  to  open  fire,  when  the  Zouaves  that 
remained  behind  were  obliged  to  go  through  their  lines  to 
get  to  the  rear.  As  they  returned  through  the  wood  and 


such  coolness  and  bravery,  that  he  received  a  commission  as  Second  Lieutenant,  but 
being  stricken  with  the  malarial  fever,  he  reluctantly  sent  in  his  resignation,  at  the 
earnest  solicitation  of  his  parents,  who  had  two  other  sons  in  the  regiment,  one  of 
whom  was  killed  in  action,  and  the  other  subsequently  enlisted  again  in  the  Second 
battalion,  and  was  also  killed.  Lieutenant  Berrian  (the  survivor),  for  thirteen  years 
has  been  a  faithful  guardian  of  the  peace,  and  for  some  years  -has  been  specially 
entrusted  to  watch  over  and  guard  the  treasures  of  a  very  large  Savings  Bank,  and 
from  his  distinguished  record  as  a  soldier,  it  is  needless  to  say  that  those  whose 
treasures  he  watches  over  could  not  have  selected  a  better  or  more  faithful  guardian 
of  such  a  trust. 


216         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

over  the  open  field,  they  were  surprised  at  the  carnage,  for  it 
had  been  an  obstinate  fight  on  both  sides,  of  over  two  hours ; 
a  long  row  of  red  uniforms  marked  the  place  where  they  first 
charged,  besides  little  knots  of  them  lying  here  and  there, 
while  just  beyond  in  groups,  and  in  the  wood,  lay  the  delud- 
ed, but  gallant  sons  of  the  South. 

The  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  thus 
describes  the  conflict  on  this  portion  of  the  line  : 

"Again  he  gathered  his  columns,  supported  them  by  fresh 
troops,  again  advanced,  extending  his  lines  as  if  to  flank  our 
right,  and  renewed  the  attack  with  greater  ferocity  than  ever,  to 
be  again  repulsed  with  terrible  slaughter.  Sykes'  Regulars  and 
Warren's  brigade,  in  which  are  the  Duryee  Zouaves  and  Bendix's 
loth  New  York  regiment,  played  a  brilliant  part  in  this  portion 
of  the  engagement,  the  Zouaves  especially  fighting  with  a  des- 
peration and  tenacity  only  to  be  expected  from  such  superior 

mpn   "  * 


*  Compte  de  Paris  (id  V.,  p.  96) :  u  Hill  was  repulsed  by  the  right  of  Morell's  di- 
vision, and  by  the  brigade  of  the  young  ard  valiant  Warren." 

B.  J.  Lossing  (ist  V.,  p.  421)  :  "  A.  P.  Hill  attacked  at  2  P.M.  The  brunt  of  the 
attack  fell  first  upon  Sykes'  division,  who  threw  the  assailants  back  in  great  confu- 
sion and  heavy  loss." 

A.  H.  Guernsey  :  "  It  was  past  2  P.M.  when  Hill  was  directed  to  begin  the  as- 
sault. For  two  hours  the  battle  raged  with  equal  obstinacy  on  both  sides.  The 
Federal  troops  gained  ground,  and  from  being  assailed  became  the  assailants.  Hill 
was  defeated,  crushed,  and  almost  routed.  Some  of  his  regiments  stood  their 
ground;  others  threw  themselves  flat  on  the  earth  to  escape;  others  rushed  from 
the  field  in  disorder."  He  says:  u  a. he  defeat  at  this  point  is  fully  shown  in  the 
Confederate  report,"  as  follows  : 

11  Lee  (Report  8),  and  Hill  (ibid,  176),  affirms  it  in  generl  terms." 

"  Archer  {ibid.  256),  says  :  '  My  troops  fell  back  before  the  irresistible  fire  of  ar- 
tillery and  rifles.  Had  they  not  fallen  back,  I  would  myself  have  ordered  it.' 

u  Pender  says  {ibid,  253)  :  '  My  men  were  rallied  and  pushed  forward  again,  but 
did  not  advance  far  before  they  fell  back.  The  enemy  were  continually  bringing 
up  fresh  troops,  and  succeeded  in  driving  us  from  the  road.' 

"  Whiting,  of  Jackson's  command,  who  came  to  the  relief  of  these  troops,  says 
{ibid,  154)  :  k  Men  were  leaving  the  field  in  every  direction,  and  in  great  disorder  ; 
two  regiments,  one  from  South  Carolina  and  one  from  Louisiana,  were  actually 
marching  back  from  the  fire,'  etc.  '  Near  the  crest  in  front  of  us,  and  lying  down, 
appeared  the  fragments  of  a  brigade,'  etc.  '  Still  further  on  our  extreme  right,  our 
troops  appeared  to  be  falling  back.  The  troops  on  our  immediate  left  I  do  not 
know,  and  I  am  glad  I  don't,'  etc.,  etc." 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.      217 

The  now  thinned  ranks  of  the  Fifth  marched  a  short  distance 
to  the  rear,  and  rested  after  their  long  fight,  in  the  meantime 
supporting  a  twenty-pound  battery,  the  fire  of  which  was  doing 
great  execution  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy,  and  there  seemed 
to  be  a  slight  lull  in  the  din  of  battle,  but  it  soon  commenced 
again  and  raged  as  fierce  as  ever.  The  spent  balls  flying  around 
them  thickly,  many  of  the  men  received  stinging  blows  from 
them.  All  the  troops  were  now  engaged.  The  Confederates 
generally  advanced  in  three  lines,  the  first  firing  a  volley  and 
dropping  flat,  the  next  line  firing  over  their  heads,  while  the  first 
line  reloaded.  "  The  din  and  noise  of  the  contending  forces  was 
terrific,  and  amid  the  roar  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  guns,  and 
the  crash  of  ninety  thousand  muskets,  could  be  heard  the  shouts 
of  the  Union  forces  mingled  with  the  rebel  yell."* 


Guernsey  says  :  "  Whiting  does  great  injustice  to  the  troops  of  Hill.  They  were 
indeed  defeated  and  broken,  but  it  was  after  two  hours  of  desperate  fighting  under 
every  disadvantage  of  position,  against  a  force  quite  equal  to  them,  as  the  record 
of  their  losses  shows.  Thus,  the  regiment  from  South  Carolina  which  was  actually 
marching  back  under  fire,  must  have  been  the  ist  Rifles,  South  Carolina  Volunteers* 
Of  this  regiment  its  Colonel,  Marshall,  reports  (ibid,  502) :  '  In  that  charge  we 
sustained  a  loss  of  76  killed,  221  wounded,  and  58  missing.  Early  on  the  morning 
after  the  battle,  I  made  a  detail  from  each  company  to  bury  their  dead,  and  so  se- 
vere was  the  work  of  death  in  some  of  the  companies  that  it  took  the  detail  all-  day 
to  bury  their  dead,  and  of  those  missing  in  the  morning,  all  but  four  rejoined  their 
regiment.' " 

"  Hill,  after  acknowledging  the  repulse,  says  (ibid.  176) :  l  My  division  was  en- 
gaged full  two  hours  before  assistance  was  received.  We  failed  to  carry  the  enemy's 
lines,  but  we  paved  the  way  for  the  successful  attack  afterward,  and  in  which  attack 
it  was  necessary  to  employ  the  whole  of  our  army  that  side  of  the  Chickahominy. 
About  4  P.M.  reinforcements  came  up  on  my  right  from  General  Longstreet,  and 
later,  Jackson's  men  on  my  left  and  center,  and  my  division  was  relieved  of  the 
weight  of  the  contest.'  " 

*  Guernsey  says  :  u  Jackson  now  arrived  upon  the  scene,  D.  H.  Hill  on  the  ex- 
treme Union  right,  Ewell  and  Whiting  on  his  left,  with  Lawton  (4,000)  a  little  in  the 
rear,  and  a  general  advance  was  ordered.  Porter's  line  was  so  severely  pressed  at 
every  point,  that  he  was  obliged  to  divide  Slocum's  division  (9,000),  which  arrived 
about  half-past  four  o'clock,  sending  parts  of  it,  even  single  regiments,  to  the  points 
most  threatened." 

General  McClellan's  Report  (p.  248) :  u  On  the  left  the  contest  was  for  the  strip 
of  woods  running  almost  at  right  angles  to  the  Chickahominy  in  front  of  Adams' 
House,  or  between  that  and  Gaines'  House.  The  enemy  several  times  charged  up 
to  this  wood,  but  were  each  time  driven  back  with  heavy  loss.  The  regulars  of 
Sykes'  division,  on  the  right,  also  repulsed  several  strong  attacks." 

"  The  enemy  attacked  again  in  great  force  at  6  P.M.,  but  failed  to  break  our  lines, 
though  our  loss  was  very  heavy." 
TO 


218         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Soon  the  sound  of  the  musketry  approached  nearer  and 
nearer,  and  the  men  knew  that  our  forces  were  being 
driven.  The  regiment  had  not  rested  long  apparently 
(for  in  a  battle  it  is  difficult  to  judge  of  the  flight  of  time),  the 
men  every  moment  expecting  further  orders,  when  Colonel 
Warren  came  dashing  up,  and  cried  out :  "  Fall  in,  men  ! 
Fall  in  ! "  "  Fall  in  !  "  was  repeated  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
H.  Duryea  and  the  other  officers ;  the  men  jumped  up  with 
alacrity,  and  were  hurriedly  marched  off  by  the  flank  to  the 
right,  through  volleys  of  canister  shot  that  raked  the  field, 
after  some  minor  movements,  and  the  regiment  "  told  off," 
and  the  companies  equalized  under  a  heavy  fire,  faced  in  line 
of  battle,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hiram  Duryea  gave  the 
order,  "  Forward,  guide  center,  march  !  "  In  a  moment  the 
regiment  found  themselves  on  a  ridge  of  ground  facing  a  long 
line  of  the  advancing  enemy.  They  opened  a  vigorous  fire 
by  file  upon  them,  and  brought  them  to  a  halt.  Upon  re- 
ceiving our  fire  the  enemy  called  out,  "Don't  fire  on  your 
own  men  ;  "  at  the  same  time  they  did  not  return  the  fire,  but 
waved  what  resembled,  as  seen  through  the  smoke,  the 
"American  colors."  At  this  admonition  from  supposed 
friends,  the  majority  ceased  their  fire,  thinking  that  possibly 
they  might  be  friends.  But  it  was  only  a  Confederate  trick. 
Just  then  Colonel  Warren  dashed  up,  and  cried  out :  "  Blaze 
away  !  blaze  away,  men  !  If  they  are  our  men,  they  have  no 
business  there."  At  the  same  time  a  terrible  volley,  fired  by 
our  supposed  friends,  swept  over  and  through  the  ranks, 
dealing  out  death  and  wounds.  Again  our  rifles  flashed,  and 
the  Confederate  colors  fell.  A  battery  of  six  Napoleon  guns 
(Plan's  United  States),  concealed  behind  the  ridge,  and 
which  was  unobserved  by  the  enemy,  opened  with  double- 
shotted  guns  on  their  column,  now  advancing  again  on  a 
charge,  and  they  were  repulsed  with  great  slaughter. 

The  sight  from  the  ridge  was  appalling  :  the  view  extended 
over  the  hard-fought  field,  which  was  enveloped  in  smoke  ; 


The  Seven  Days    Retreat — Games'  Mill.      219 

on  the  far  left  the  troops  were  falling  doggedly  back,  fight- 
ing for  every  foot  of  ground,  pressed  back  by  overwhelming 
numbers  of  fresh  Confederates,  and  there  were  no  reserves 
on  the  Union  side  to  put  against  them  ;  every  available  man 
had  been,  or  was,  fighting,  and  the  trying  hour  had  come  in 
which  the  steadiness  and  discipline  of  Sykes'  division,  now 
much  reduced  in  numbers,  but  the  most  reliable  in  the 
service,  was  to  be  taxed  to  its  utmost.  The  salvation  of  our 
shattered  army  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Chickahominy  de- 
pended upon  its  efforts,  until  reinforcements  or  night  should 
come  to  their  relief,  to  stay  the  advance  of  the  Confederate 
columns  which  were  pressing  on  to  drive  our  forces  into  the 
swamps  of  the  river. 

The  battalions  of  regulars  had  been,  and  were,  fighting 
desperately  to  the  right,  as  had  also  the  Eleventh  in- 
fantry on  our  left.  They  stood  as  firm  as  a  rock,  meeting 
and  foiling  the  desperate  onsets  of  E well's,  D.  H.  Hill's, 
and  Jackson's  troops  to  outflank  and  crush  the  right. 

A  battery  of  Parrott  guns  on  the  right  of  our  line  near 
McGee's  house,  had  been  creating  terrible  havoc  in  the 
enemy's  ranks  ;  two  regiments  charged  and  took  it,  one  of 
them,  the  2oth  North  Carolina,  losing  their  Colonel  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  and  more  than  one-half  of  their  men  in 
the  attempt ;  but  it  was  retaken  again. 

Up  to  this  time  the  Confederates  on  this  part  of  the  line 
were  held  at  bay.  Lawton  now  appeared  on  the  scene,  and 
pressed  forward  through  the  broken  ranks  of  the  Confeder- 
ates in  one  continuous  line  of  3,500  men,  armed  with  Enfield 
rifles.  General  Ewell  seeing  this  strong  body  of  fresh  troops 
coming  to  his  assistance,  waved  his  sword  over  his  head 
and  cried  out,  "  Hurrah  for  Georgia  ! "  The  temporary 
stoppage  of  the  fire  of  the  battery  on  the  right  was  taken 
advantage  of,  and  General  Winder  pressed  forward  with 
eleven  regiments,  the  Hampton  Legion,  ist  Maryland,  i2th 
Alabama,  52d  Virginia,  38th  Georgia,  and  the  2d,  5th,  33d, 


22O        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

27th,  i4th  Virginia,  with  the  Irish  battalion,  and  attacked  the 
regulars  on  their  flank  and  rear  ;  and  they  were  compelled 
to  fallback.  When  the  Confederates  had  approached  to 
within  two  hundred  feet,  the  battery  was  withdrawn,  leaving 
two  of  the  guns  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  the  horses  being 
all  shot  down.  The  regulars  fell  back  about  three  hundred 
yards,  fighting  for  every  foot  of  ground.  Colonel  Allen  and 
Major  Jones,  of  the  2d  Virginia  Confederate  regiment,  both 
fell  mortally  wounded.  While  this  was  transpiring  on  the 
right,  the  Fifth  was  to  the  right  of  the  left  of  the  division 
supporting  Platt's  battery.* 

Men  separated  from  their  regiments,  lost,  stragglers,  and 
wounded,  were  continually  passing  to  the  rear  ;  there  was 
nothing  left  in  front  but  Stonewall  Jackson's  legions,  every 
available  man  of  them  pressing  on  with  the  bayonet  to  be  in 
at  the  death.  The  masses  of  our  broken  organizations  were 
thronging  toward  the  bridges  that  crossed  the  Chickahominy 
in  the  rear.  Officers  drew  swords  and  revolvers  and  placed 
themselves  in  front  of  their  retreating  troops  and  soon 
rallied  them.  The  men  of  the  Fifth  intelligently  made  the 
most  of  their  position,  which  was  an  advantageous  one,  or 
otherwise  they  would  soon  have  been  too  much  decimated  by 
the  flying  bullets  to  maintain  it.  Some  of  them  lay  down 


*  Guernsey  says  :  "  It  was  now  half-past  six,  an  hour  before  sunset.  The  whole 
Confederate  force  on  this  side  of  the  Chickahominy  was  brought  into  action.  Jack- 
son, Lflngstreet,  and  the  two  Hills,  with  the  exception  of  Kemper's  brigade  of 
*  1,433  muskets,'  of  Longstreet's  division,  which  was  held  in  reserve  ;  opposed  to 
them  was  only  Porter's  (two  divisions),  and  McCall  and  Slocum's  divisions. 
Making  allowances  for  losses  on  each  side  up  to  this  time,  the  Confederate  force  on 
the  field  numbered  about  56,000  ;  Union,  33,003."  [This  estimate  does  not  allow 
for  stragglers  on  both  sides,  which  were  numerous. — A.  D.] 

Lossing:  "At  six  o'clock,  brigade  after  brigade  hurled  against  the  line  in  rapid 
succession,  hoping  to  break  it.  For  a  long  time  it  stood  firm,  but  weakened  by  car- 
nage," etc.,  etc. 

Swinton  (p.  152) :  "  The  right  held  its  ground  with  much  stubbornness,  repuls- 
ing every  attack.  The  left,  too,  fought  stoutly,  but  was  at  length  broken  by  a 
determined  charge  lei  by  Hood's  Texan  troops."  [They  captured  fourteen  guns  ; 
the  horses  all  being  shot,  they  could  not  be  removed  in  time,  but  Hood,  according 
to  his  own  accounts,  lo^t  1,000  men,  killed  and  wounded,  in  the  charge]. 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.      221 

behind  the  ridge,  others  were  partially  shielded  behind  trees, 
and  were  firing  at  the  enemy  with  steady  aim  and  deadly 
effect,  some  of  them  making  the  colors  of  the  regiments  the 
focus  of  their  fire.  During  this  part  of  the  engagement 
three  times  the  Confederate  colors  were  seen  to  fall.  There 
were  only  about  two  hundred  of  the  Fifth  together  at  this 
time  supporting  the  battery,  which  was  doing  its  best.  A 
few  of  the  loth  New  York  were  also  there  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Bendix.  The  Confederates  were  advanc- 
ing, as  seen  indistinctly  through  the  smoke,  in  line 
after  line,  but  their  fire  was  not  very  destructive,  as, 
according  to  their  own  reports,  many  of  their  regiments 
were  out  of  ammunition,  and  their  heavy  force  was  pressing 
on  with  the  bayonet ;  some  of  our  men  who  had  faced  the 
worst  up  to  this  time  drew  out.  The  majority  of  the  Zou- 
aves had  stripped  off  their  knapsacks,  expecting  a  hand  to 
hand  conflict,  to  save  the  battery,  or  to  keep  from  a  rebel 
prison — a  fate  worse  than  death.  There  were  some  there 
who  were  determined  never  to  be  taken  prisoners,  unless  too 
much  disabled  to  defend  themselves  ;  a  fact  which  can  be 
verified  by  men  now  living. 

The  double- shotted  guns  of  Platt's  and  Griffin's  batteries 
were  pouring  deadly  discharges  of  canister  into  the  masses 
of  the  enemy  ;  the  regulars  and  the  i6th  New  York,  of 
Slocum's  division,  were  delivering  terrible  volleys  to  check 
their  onsets,  and  the  remnants  of  the  Fifth  and  Tenth  added 
their  fire.  Sykes'  division  was  indeed  doing  its  hard  work, 
and  its  war-worn  and  indomitable  chief  was  with  it,  cool  and 
steadfast  in  its  time  of  peril,  standing  like  a  lion  at  bay.* 
The  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  our  forces  on  that  bloody 
day,  General  Fitz  John  Porter,  was  there.  It  was  during 

*  General  Sykes  graduated  from  the  United  States  Military  Academy,  West 
Point,  and  was  commissioned  Brevet  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  regular  army  July  i, 
1842.  He  served  with  distinction  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  has  been  on  active  duty 
ever  since.  General  Sykes  is  a  man  of  few  words,  but  when  hard  work  is  required 
he  is  the  man  to  do  it. 


222         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

their  charges  on  this  part  of  the  battle-field  that  so  many 
Confederate  officers  fell  while  animating  their  exhausted 
men  and  bearing  the  colors  of  their  regiments  in  their 
hands. 

We  were  now  passing  through  some  awful  moments  ;  sud- 
denly we  heard  the  shouts  of  men  in  the  distance  toward 
the  rear,  which  at  first  threw  us  into  a  fearful  state  of  excite- 
ment, but  was  somewhat  allayed  when  it  was  ascertained 
that  instead  of  an  enemy,  the  shouts  came  from  friends. 
We  answered  them  lustily,  and  knew  that  relief  was  com- 
ing, but  it  was  yet  far  away,  and  the  minutes  were  test- 
ing our  ability  to  stand  until  succor  should  arrive.  The 
Duke  of  Wellington  did  not  long  for  Blucher  to  appear,  with 
more  agony,  than  did  those  present  on  that  ridge  for  the 
coming  up  of  French,  and  Meagher  with  his  fighting  sons 
of  Ireland.  Colonel  Warren  moved  about  regardless  of 
the  missiles  of  death ;  word  came  to  him  that  the  ammuni- 
tion of  the  battery  was  nearly  expended,  and  on'y  two  or 
three  rounds  remained  ;  he  answered,  "  Let  them  fire  all 
they  have  ;  I  will  stand  by  them."  It  seemed  at  this  moment 
as  if  the  sun  stood  still,  but  he  was  slowly  creeping  below 
the  horizon,  veiled  by  thick  clouds  of  sulphurous  smoke  ; 
the  glories  of  his  crimson  hues  were  paled,  as  if  he  shrank, 
with  averted  face,  from  the  sight  of  the  gory  field. 

Colonel  Hiram  Duryea  stood  by  our  little  band,  cool,  but 
anxious;  said  he,  "  I  wish  to  God  we  had  help  ! "  and  it  was 
time.  In  a  few  moments,  if  we  did  not  fall  back,  we  must 
either  cross  bayonets  with  overwhelming  numbers,  or  be 
surrendered  as  prisoners  of  war. 

It  was  now  sundown,  and  the  battery  fired  its  last  round, 
and,  as  current  rumor  has  it,  ramnxers  and  all,  almost  into 
the  faces  of  the  Confederates,  and  moved  off  down  the 
ridge  with  every  gun.  The  Fifth,  worn  and  tired,  filed  off 
by  the  flank  in  its  rear,  missing  many  a  familiar  face.  Just 
as  they  passed  down  the  road  a  rebel  farewell,  in  the  shape 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.      223 

of  a  shell,  came  hissing  over  their  heads,  and  burst  in  the 
side  of  a  barn,  not  twenty  feet  away,  tearing  a  great  gap  in 
its  side ;  and  as  we  marched  and  disappeared  in  the  gloom 
of  the  woods,  in  the  fading  twilight,  the  air  was  rent  with 
the  shrill  rebel  yells  as  they  swarmed  over  the  vacated 
ridge.* 

"  No  battery  was  lost,  or  any  part  of  it  near  our  regiment 
(5th  New  York)  at  Games'  Mill,  nor  did  the  enemy  break 
our  line  (Sykes'  division)  from  where  we  were  on  the  left  of 
it  to  the  right  of  it.  We  were  on  the  field  till  dark,  and  then 
were  withdrawn  without  molestation  by  the  enemy."f 

It  was  now  quite  dark ;  after  marching  a  short  distance, 
the  Irish  brigade  were  met,  which,  with  that  of  French's, 
came  up  on  a  double-quick,  and  cheering  loudly.  These 
fresh  troops  charged  the  skirt  of  the  field,  and  their  opportune 
arrival  had  the  moral  effect  of  checking  the  further  advance 
of  the  enemy,  who  were  much  exhausted  by  the  long  con- 
test. 

D.  H.  Hill  says  : 

"It  was  now  fairly  dark,  and  hearing  loud  cheers  from  the 
Yankees  in  our  immediate  front,  some  200  yards  distant,  I  or- 
dered our  whole  advance  to  halt,  and  wait  the  expected  attack  of 
the  enemy.  Brig.-Gen.  Winder,  occupying  the  road  to  Grape- 
vine Bridge,  immediately  halted,  and  the  whole  advanced  columns 
were  halted  also.  The  cheering,  as  we  afterward  learned,  was 


*  Compte  dc  Paris  (p.  100) :  "  At  6  P.M.  Jackson  attacked  with  40,000  men. 
Ewell  attacked  the  regulars,  who  made  it  a  point  of  honor  never  to  yield  before 
volunteers,  whatever  may  be  their  numbers."  (p.  102) :  "  Attacked  in  front  and 
menaced  in  flank,  Sykes  fell  back  defending  the  ground  foot  by  foot.  The  regulars 
do  not  allow  Hill  to  push  his  success  along  the  road  leading  from  Cold  Harbor  to 
Dispatch  Station,  by  which  he  could  have  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  enemy. 

"  Fearfully  reduced  as  they  are,  they  care  less  for  the  losses  they  have  sustained 
than  for  the  mortification  of  yielding  to  volunteers." — (p.  103):  "Stuart,  near 
Cold  Harbor,  does  not  know  how  to  make  h'S  excellent  troops  play  the  part  which 
appertains  to  cavalry  on  the  eve  of  a  victory  ;  he  allows  himself  to  be  held  back  by 
the  resolute  stand  of  the  regulars  and  some  few  hundred  men  bearing  the  flags  of 
Warren1s  brigade." 

i  General  G.  K.  Warren. 


224         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

caused  by  the  appearance  of  the  Irish  brigade,  which  was  sent 
forward  to  cover  the  retreat.  A  vigorous  attack  upon  it  might 
have  resulted  in  the  total  rout  of  the  Yankee  army  and  the  cap- 
ture of  thousands  of  prisoners.  But  I  was  unwilling  to  leave  the 
elevated  plateau  around  McGee's  house  to  advance  in  the  dark 
along  an  unknown  road,  skirted  by  dense  woods  in  the  possession 
of  the  Yankee  troops." 

The  sanguinary  battle  of  Games'  Mill  was  over ;  a  few  scat- 
tering shots  were  heard  up  to  9  o'clock,  when  quietness  pre- 
vailed ;  both  sides  were  about  exhausted  by  the  terrible  ordeal 
through  which  they  had  passed.  The  regiment  was  formed 
in  line  and  counted  by  the  Adjutant,  and  numbered  seventy- 
three  files,  or  146  men.  Besides  those  killed  or  disabled, 
there  were  some  who  fell  out  from  exhaustion  ;  others  had 
assisted  their  wounded  comrades  to  the  rear  and  failed  to  re- 
turn, and  a  detail  under  Lieutenant  Eichler  were  guarding  a 
number  of  Confederate  prisoners.  The  number  whose  hearts 
failed  them  were  comparatively  few,  and  these  managed  to 
elude  the  officers  and  file-closers,  and  retire  to  the  rear. 

Through  the  blackness  of  night  little  lights  could  be  seen 
dancing  about  in  the  distance,  looking  like  twinkling  stars. 
They  were  borne  by  the  good  Samaritans,  and  those  who  had 
been  transformed  from  demons  into  angels  of  mercy,  and 
were  seeking  and  succoring  the  wounded  of  Union  and  Con- 
federate alike,  who  lay  together  like  one  great  family.  As 
soon  as  the  ranks  were  dismissed,  the  men  dropped  down  on 
the  bare  ground  without  covering,  and  were  soon  in  deep 
slumber,  with  their  rifles  by  their  sides,  ready  to  clutch  at 
the  first  alarm.  But  many  a  soldier  misses  his  mate,  who 
may  be  lying  wounded  in  the  hands  of.  the  Confederates,  or 
being  jolted  over  a  rough  road  in  an  ambulance  to  the  rear, 
or  mayhap  lying  on  the  battle-field,  wearing  the  laurels  of  the 
brave,  though  his  spirit  has  fled  in  glory  from  its  earthly  ten- 
ement, and  taken  winged  flight  to  Him  who  gave  it. 

The  orders  had  been  obeyed.    General  Porter  had  held  the 


The  Seven  Days    Retreat — 'Gaincs   Mill.      225 

left  bank  of  the  river  till  night.  Notwithstanding  their 
desperate  efforts,  the  flower  of  the  Confederate  army,  com- 
prising, at  least,  130  regiments  of  infantry,  and  84  guns, 
under  command  of  the  two  Hills,  Longstreet,  Ewell,  and 
Jackson,  all  under  the  personal  supervision  of  General  Lee 
himself,  and  also  encouraged  by  the  presence  of  Jeff.  Davis, 
had  driven  the  Union  troops  only  about  one  mile.  They 
had  reaped  a  barren  victory. 

General  Fitz  John  Porter  fought  this  battle  with  51  regi- 
ments of  infantry,  besides  his  batteries,  which  was  all  his  force. 
He  commanded  in  person  throughout,  and  directed  all  the 
general  movements  ;  and  the  obstinacy  with  which  the  troops 
held  their  ground,  and  the  masterly  manner  in  which  he  di- 
rected their  movements,  foiled  the  well-laid  plans  of  the  Con- 
federate Generals,  and  withstood  till  night  the  furious  onsets 
of  the  enemy.*  This  delay  gave  General  McClellan  twenty- 
four  hours'  start  in  which  to  forward  his  miles  of  wagons,  con- 
taining army  stores,  ammunition,  etc.,  and  his  heavy  siege 
guns,  to  the  new  base  on  the  James  River. 

The  field  officers  of  the  Fifth  acted  their  parts  with  the 
greatest  heroism  and  bravery,  and  throughout  the  battle  re- 
mained mounted,  and  were  at  every  point  where  their  serv- 
ices were  most  required ;  and  how  they  escaped  serious 
wounds  or  death  is  miraculous.  Colonel  Warren  received  a 
contusion  from  a  spent  ball,  and  his  horse  was  wounded. 
He  was  everywhere  conspicuous  on  the  field,  and  not  only 
directed  the  movements  of  his  own  brigade,  which  he  handled 
with  consummate  skill,  and  placed  in  the  most  advantageous 
positions,  where  they  could  produce  the  most  effect  on  the 
enemy,  but  directed  the  movements  of  other  regiments. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  H.  Duryea,  acting  in  command  of  the 
regiment,  rose  from  a  sick  couch  to  take  part  in  the  action 


*  Compte  de  Paris  (p.  104) :     "  Had  fought  with  great  vigor,  and  it  was  no  dis- 
grace to  Porter's  soldiers  that  they  had  to  succumb  in  such  an  unequal  struggle." 
10*   . 


226        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

when  his  services  were  most  required,  and  did  not  make  his 
bodily  ailments  an  excuse,  as  some  others  did.  to  shirk 
danger  and  responsibility  and  win  glory  without  earning  it. 
He  set  a  good  example  to  the  men  by  his  bravery,  coolness, 
and  gallantry.  Captain  Winslow  played  a  noble  part  as  a 
field-officer.  Surgeon  Doolittle  was  wounded  in  the  course 
of  the  action,  and  his  horse  was  killed  under  him.  The 
other  officers,  with  a  few  exceptions,  won  honor  by  their  cool 
behavior  and  fidelity.  Of  the  men,  an  officer  high  in  com- 
mand said  that  every  man  who  stood  supporting  that  battery 
at  dusk  deserved  a  commission.  Another  (a  General)  officer 
said  the  next  day  as  the  regiment  passed  by  him  on  the 
march,  in  reply  to  the  remark  of  an  officer  who  stood  by  his 
side,  "  Did  well !  why,  I  could  hug  every  man  of  them." 

The  New  York  Herald of  July  i,  1862,  says:  "  Duryee's 
Zouaves  fought,  as  did  all  the  regulars,  under  General  Sykes, 
in  whose  brigade  they  are  attached,  with  undaunted  courage." 

In  concluding  his  narrative  of  the  battle,  the  correspond- 
ent of  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  says  : 

"  The  conduct  of  the  entire  force  that  day  was  admirable. 
The  regulars,  who  had  previously  complained  of  restraint,  had 
full  scope,  and  they  re-established  their  ancient  fame.  Duryee's 
Zouaves,  clad  in  crimson  breeches  and  red  skull-caps,  emulated 
their  regular  comrades,  winning  the  admiration  of  the  army.  But 
volunteers  and  regulars  alike  won  glory  on  that  bloody  field." 

Extract  from  General  George  B.  McClellan's  report  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  Hon.  Edwin  M.  Stan  ton  : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  POTOMAC,  SAVAGE  STATION,  ) 
June  28,  1862 — 12.20  A.M.        } 

On  the  left  bank  our  men  did  all  that  men  could  do,  all  that 
soldiers  could  accomplish,  but  they  were  overwhelmed  by  vastly 
superior  numbers  soon  after  I  had  brought  my  last  reserves 
into  action.  The  loss  on  both  sides  is  terrible.  I  believe  it  will 
prove  to  be  the  most  desperate  battle  of  the  war.  The  sad  rem- 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat — Gained  Mill.      227 

nants  of  my  men  behave  as  men  ;  those  battalions  who  fought 
most  bravely,  and  suffered  most,  are  still  in  the  best  order.  My 
regulars  were  superb ;  and  I  count  upon  what  are  left  to  turn 
another  battle  in  company  with  their  gallant  comrades  of  the  vol- 
unteers. 

Abbott  speaks  of  this  battle  as  follows : 

"  It  was  now  night — a  night  of  awful  gloom.  The  second  day's 
battle— the  battle  of  Games'  Mill — had  ended,  and  silence  suc- 
ceeded the  thunders  of  war,  which  all  the  day  had  shaken  the  hills. 
Even  the  darkness  could  not  conceal  the  harrowing  spectacle  of 
death's  ravages.  The  dead  lay  upon  the  field  in  extended  wind- 
rows. The  wounded  were  to  be  counted  by  thousands.  Their 
heart-rending  cries  and  groans  were  audible  on  all  sides." 

Colonel  B.  Estvan,  of  the  Confederate  army,  says : 

"  In  by-gone  days  I  had  been  on  many  a  battle-field  in  Italy 
and  Hungary,  but  I  confess  that  I  never  witnessed  so  hideous  a 
picture  of  human  slaughter  and  horrible  suffering." 

General  McClellan,  in  his  report  (p.  249),  says  : 

"  Our  loss  in  this  battle,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  was 
very  heavy,  especially  in  officers,  many  of  whom  were  killed, 
wounded,  or  taken  prisoners  while  gallantly  leading  on  their  men, 
or  rallying  them  to  renewed  exertions.  It  is  impossible  to  arrive 
at  the  exact  numbers  lost  in  this  desperate  engagement,  owing  to 
the  series  of  battles  which  followed  each  other  in  quick  succes- 
sion, and  in  which  the  whole  army  was  engaged.  No  general 
returns  were  made  until  after  we  had  arrived  at  Harrison's  Land- 
ing, when  the  losses  for  the  whole  seven  days  were  estimated  to- 
gether," 

The  Compte  de  Paris,  of  General  McClellan's  staff,  who 
distinguished  himself  in  this  engagement,  informs  us  in  his 
History,  that  out  of  the  35,000  engaged,  the  loss  was  nearly 
7,000,  and  that  the  assailants  suffered  still  more. 


228         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  Confederate  losses  from  their  own  estimates  Guernsey 
places  at  9,500.  "Jackson's  loss  alone  was  3,284,  and  the 
other  corps  in  the  same  proportion  would  make  the  Con- 
federate loss  about  10,000." 

The  Fifth  Regiment  lost  more  than  one-third  of  its  officers 
and  men,  killed  and  wounded,  including  nearly  all  of  the 
color-guard.  Out  of  the  450  men  engaged,  56  were  killed 
or  died  of  their  wounds;  3  were  missing,  no  severely 
wounded,  making  the  total  casualties  among  the  officers  and 
men  169.  Besides  the  above,  there  were  about  50  who  re- 
ceived contusions  in  the  course  of  the  engagement,  which, 
although  in  most  cases  painful,  were  not  of  such  a  serious 
nature  as  to  be  classed  in  this  regiment  as  wounds,  or  to  in- 
capacitate the  recipients  for  duty. 

The  Tenth  lost  114,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  out 
of  575  men  engaged;  among  whom  were  Lieutenants  James 
R.  Smith  an'd  George  F.  Tate,  wounded. 

As  an  instance  of  the  different  effects  of  gun-shots  produced 
in  battle,  the  losses  in  two  instances  may  be  mentioned. 
Company  H  had  twenty-one  severely  wounded,  some  of  them 
having  several  wounds,  but  none  of  the  wounds  proved  mor- 
tal. Company  K  had  nineteen  hit,  out  of  whom  eleven  were 
killed  or  died  of  their  wounds. 

INCIDENTS. 

After  the  regiment  was  relieved  by  fresh  troops,  and  after  the 
latter  had  become  engaged,  William  McDowell,  the  Orderly 
Sergeant  of  Company  G,  remained  on  the  field  wholly  re- 
gardless of  flying  bullets,  and  employed  himself  in  picking  up 
rifles  and  throwing  them  into  the  ditch.  He  also  took  off 
his  shoes  and  stockings  and  bathed  his  feet,  and  then  rejoined 
the  main  body  of  the  regiment,  who  were  resting,  as  already 
mentioned,  loaded  down  with  the  rifles  he  had  collected.  If 
others  had  been  as  thoughtful,  the  enemy  would  have  gleaned 
less  booty  in  the  matter  of  abandoned  arms. 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.      229 

When  the  men  lay  in  the  cut  of  the  road,  Sergeants  Forbes, 
Law,  Tiebout,  and  a  few  others  crept  out  under  fire  to  the 
open  field  and  secured  their  knapsacks,  which  had  been  left 
with  those  of  the  majority  of  the  regiment.  The  others 
secured  theirs  afterward,  but  most  of  the  men  supporting  the 
battery,  the  second  time  they  went  in,  which  was  late  in  the 
afternoon,  were  compelled  to  lose  them. 

Dave  Burns,  of  the  Fifth,  had  a  long  argument  while  the 
battle  was  raging  with  a  wounded  Confederate,  who,  it  ap- 
pears, was  an  Irishman.  His  attention  was  attracted  to  him, 
by  seeing  that  he  had  a  revolver  in  his  hand.  He  asked  him 
what  he  was  doing  with  "  that,"  and  was  answered,  it  was  for 
protection  from  being  bayoneted.  Burns  waxed  wroth  at  the 
idea  of  one  of  the  Fifth  doing  anything  so  cowardly,  and  be- 
rated him  soundly  ;  getting  warmed  up,  he  wished  that  the 
Confederate  was  a  well  man,  and  he  would  knock  all  the 
secesh  blood  out  of  him ;  that  he  was  a  disgrace  to  the  Irish 
people  for  fighting  against  the  flag,  etc.  Finally,  he  took  the 
revolver  away  from  him,  and  removed  the  caps,  but  the  man 
begged  so  hard  for  it,  as  it  was  a  present  from  one  of  his 
officers,  he  gave  it  back  to  hinij  and  also  a  drink  of 
water,  and  went  at  the  fighting  again,  a?  if  he  had  merely 
stopped  work  for  a  few  moments  to  have  an  argument  with 
a  friend. 

In  the  battle,  Walter  S.  Colby,  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  a  member  of  Company  G,  received  a  wound  which 
shattered  his  leg,  and  he  fell.  He  supported  himself  as  well 
as  he  could,  pulled  his  cap  off  his  head,  waved  it  in  the  air, 
and  gave  three  cheers  for  the  Union  and  the  American  flag, 
and  fell  down  again.  Several  of  the  men  went  to  his  assist- 
ance and  offered  their  aid,  but  he  declined  it,  saying  that 
"  he  would  have  to  lose  his  leg,  and  that  meant,  in  his  poor 
health,  his  life  ;  that  they  could  testify  that  he  died  in  a  good 
cause  and  died  'game.' "  He  told  them  to  look  after  them- 
selves and  let  him  lay. 


230        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

No  other  information  of  him  has  ever  been  obtained  from 
any  source,  and  the  only  inference  is  that  he  died  like  a  hero 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  sleeps  in  an  unknown  grave. 
He  was  troubled  with  a  racking  cough  in  Baltimore;  and 
when  the  regiment  left  Federal  Hill,  he  was  left  in  the  hos- 
pital. He  was  offered  his  discharge,  but  refused  it.  After 
the  regiment  was  on  the  march  up  the  Peninsula,  beyond 
Yorktown,  the  men  of  his  company  were  surprised  to  see 
Colby  appear  among  them,  knapsack  and  all,  fully  equipped  ; 
he  looked  thin  and  emaciated.  One  of  the  boys  said  :  "  Why, 
Colby,  we  never  expected  to  see  you  again."  He  replied  : 
"You  didn't!  Well,  I  expected  to  see  you  again  ;  and  I 
mean  to  go  home  with  the  regiment,  or  go  home  in  a  box," 
and  there  was  not  a  man  in  the  company  but  knew  that  Walt 
Colby  meant  what  he  said.  He  had  an  iron  will,  and  his  de- 
cision once  made,  as  they  knew  from  experience,  was  un- 
alterable. The  writer  had  him  for  a  messmate  on  the  march 
up  to  near  Richmond,  and  was  often  kept  awake  by  his  vio- 
lent coughing.  One  night,  being  very  tired  and  sleepy,  after 
a  long  march,  a  rather  petulant  remark  was  made,  which 
the  writer  has  ever  since  regretted.  The  poor  skeleton,  for 
that  was  all  there  was  of  him  in  the  flesh,  flared  up  with, 
"  I'll  live  to  stamp  on  your  grave,"  and  bounced  out  of  the 
shelter  that  I  had  rigged  ;  nor  could  any  persuasion  on  my 
part  induce  him  to  come  back  that  night,  but  he  laid  outside 
on  the  ground,  without  any  covering,  in  a  drizzly  rain.  As 
long  as  he  lived,  no  matter  how  long  or  hard  the  march,  be 
it  rain  or  shine,  there  was  Colby  at  its  end,  with  what  was 
left  of  the  regiment.  While  strong  men  were  strewed  all 
along  far  in  the  rear,  he  was  never  known  to  drop  out,  and 
his  limbs  were  wasted  away  to  skin  and  bone.  He  did 
not  aspire  to  any  higher  position  than  that  of  a  private, 
although  evidently  of  good  social  rank,  and  had  seen  much 
of  the  world.  When  he  enlisted  he  was  handsomely  dressed. 
He  once  told  the  writer  that  when  he  enlisted  he  was  only 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Games'  Mill.      231 

on  a  visit  to  New  York,  and  had  dined  with  a  friend  at  the 
St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  and  bid  him  good-bye,  the  friend  to  go 
South  for  the  purpose  of  joining  the  Confederates.  He  him- 
self strolled  off,  went  into  the  quarters  in  Canal  Street,  and 
entered  the  Fifth.  He  always  had  plenty  of  money  to  spend 
or  to  lend,  but  who  he  was  or  who  his  friends  were,  he  would 
never  divulge.  And  this  invincible  hero,  unknown  to  his 
comrades,  further  than  is  narrated  above,  sleeps  in  an  un- 
known grave  in  Virginia.  He  deserves  a  better  tribute  than 
mine  to  the  decision  and  character  of  a  soldier  who  had  no 
superior  for  loyalty  and  heroism  in  the  army. 

Sniffin,  of  Company  B,  was  one  of  the  first  men  killed  in  the 
first  charge.  He  was  one  of  the  comical  characters  of  the 
regiment.  Skipping  out  over  the  turf,  he  said  :  "Johnny on 
the  green  !  here  comes  a  ball  from  Brooklyn,"  then,  "  Here  is 
one  from  Coney  Island  ; "  but  one  came  from  a  Confeder- 
ate, as  if  in  mockery,  and  poor  Sniffin  dropped  dead. 

One  of  the  color-guard,  Spellman,  was  overcome  by  the 
heat  during  the  height  of  the  action,  and  fell  as  if  dead  ;  he 
was  carried  to  the  house  used  as  a  hospital,  on  the  hill  to  the 
rear.  His  "chum"  found  time  to  run  over  and  see  how  he 
fared,  after  the  regiment  was  relieved  the  first  time,  and  dis- 
covered him  lying  unconscious.  He  asked  a  surgeon  to  do 
something  for  him,  who  said  it  was  of  no  use,  as  he  was  as 
good  as  a  dead  man.  Finally,  another  surgeon  was  induced 
to  examine  him,  but  he  also  gave  him  up,  and  said  that  he 
must  use  his  time  on  those  he  could  save.  When  the  ene- 
my shelled  the  hospital  building,  the  crash  of  the  shell  par- 
tially aroused  Spellman,  and  his  comrade  raised  him  up  and 
half  dragged  him  from  the  building.  All  those  who  could 
move  were  crawling  off,  and  a  great  many  stragglers  were 
going  to  the  rear.  Spellman  opened  his  eyes,  and  glared 
about  him  for  an  instant,  as  if  his  consciousness  was  return- 
ing. "  What  does  this  mean  ? "  he  asked.  He  was  an- 
swered that  the  battle  was  going  all  right;  those  are  the 


232         Fifth  New    York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

stragglers.  "  Cowards  !  "  exclaimed  Spellman,  and  again  he 
went  off  in  a  swoon.  His  friend  succeeded  in  getting  him 
into  an  ambulance,  never  expecting  to  see  him  again,  and 
rejoined  the  regiment.  On  the  march  to  Malvern  Hill,  the 
men  were  surprised  to  see  Spellman  coming  over  the  fields 
to  join  them.  We  will  see  what  a  "  dead  man  "  was  made 
of  on  a  future  occasion. 

We  rested  as  well  as  it  was  possible  to  rest,  after  the  san- 
guinary struggle  of  the  day,  and  early  in  the  morning  of 
Saturday,  the  28th,  before  daylight,  the  men  were  ordered 
from  their  slumbers,  and  crossed  the  Chickahominy,  over 
Woodbury  Bridge,  to  the  Richmond  side  of  the  river,  and 
took  a  position  on  Trent  Hill,  which  overlooked  the  stream. 
The  regulars  crossed  about  6  o'clock,  and  blew  up  the  bridge 
behind  them.  We  remained  here,  with  the  rest  of  Sykes' 
division  and  the  reserve  artillery,  serving  also  on  picket 
along  the  river  till  6  P.M.  We  then  started  about  dusk  and 
marched  to  Savage's  Station,  and  destroyed  by  fire  a  large 
pile  of  knapsacks  and  other  property,  to  prevent  them  from 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

At  this  place  there  were  about  6,000  wounded  and  sick, 
about  2,500  of  whom,  the  last  troops  that  left  on  the  suc- 
ceeding night,  were  compelled  to  leave  from  inexorable  ne- 
cessity, as  there  was  not  sufficient  means  of  conveyance  to 
remove  them  all.  The  army  marched  on  its  way,  accom- 
panied with  the  thousands  of  disabled  and  afflicted  com- 
rades upon  whom  the  blow  of  war  had  fallen,  but  with  heavy 
hearts  that  so  many  were  left  behind  to  take  the  hospitalities 
or  the  revenge  of  the  enemy,  at  whose  hands  they  had  re- 
ceived their  wounds. 

Rev.  J.  J.  Marks,  D.D.,  in  the  "Peninsular  Campaign  in 
Virginia,"  p.  243,  describes  the  scene  on  the  evening  of  the 
29th,  in  the  following  language  : 

"I  beheld  a  long,  scattered  line  of  the  patients  staggering 


The  Seven  Days    Retreat — Games'  Mill.      233 

away,  some  carrying  their  guns  and  supporting  a  companion  on 
an  arm,  others  tottering  feebly  over  a  staff  which  they  appeared 
to  have  scarcely  strength  to  lift  up.  One  was  borne  on 
the  shoulders  of  two  of  his  companions,  in  the  hope  that  when 
he  had  gone  a  little  distance  he  might  be  able  to  walk.  One  had 
already  sat  down,  fainting  from  the  exertion  of  a  few  steps.  Some 
had  risen  from  the  first  rest,  staggered  forward  a  few  steps,  and 
fell  in  the  road  ;  but  after  a  few  moments  in  the  open  air,  and 
stimulated  by  the  fear  of  the  enemy,  they  could  walk  more 
strongly.  Never  have  1  beheld  a  spectacle  more  touching  or 
more  sad." 

Also  an  eye-witness*  of  this  painful  episode  in  the  events 
of  the  campaign,  tells  his  observations  as  follows  : 

"  A  very  affecting  scene  was  now  witnessed  as  the  troops  bade 
adieu  to  their  sick  and  wounded  friends,  whom  they  were  com- 
pelled to  leave  behind,  to  abandon  as  prisoners  to  the  rebels. 

"  Up  to  this  time  the  disabled  had  not  known  that  they  were 
to  be  left  behind ;  and  when  it  became  manifest,  the  scene  could 
not  be  pictured  by  human  language.  I  heard  one  man  cry  out, 
'  O  my  God  !  is  this  the  reward  I  deserve  for  all  the  sacrifices  T 
have  made,  the  battles  I  have  fought,  and  the  agony  I  have  en- 
dured from  my  wounds  ?'  Some  of  the  younger  soldiers  wept 
like  children  ;  others  turned  pale,  and  some  fainted.  Poor  fellows  ! 
they  thought  this  was  the  last  drop  in  the  cup  of  bitterness,  but 
there  were  many  yet  to  be  added." 

REPORT  OF  COLONEL  G.  K.  WARREN, 

$d  Brigade,  zd  Division,  $th  Corps,  of  the  Battle  of  Gained 

Mill. 

HEADQUARTERS  30  BRIGADE,  SYKES'  DIVISION,     \ 
PORTER'S  CORPS,  July  4,  1862.  I 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  operations  of  this  brigade 
from  June  26th  to  July  3d,  1862. 

The  brigade  consisted,  on  the  26th  ultimo,  of  the  5th  New 


*Rev.  John  S.  C.  Abbott's  "Change  of  Base." 


234         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

York  Volunteers,  commanded  by  Lieut.-Col.  Duryea,  numbering 
about  450  effective  men  for  duty,  and  of  the  loth  New  York  Vol- 
unteers, commanded  by  Col.  Bendix,  numbering  about  575  men 
for  duty.  The  ist  Connecticut,  Col.  Tyler,  had  been  relieved  from 
my  command  for  duty  with  the  heavy  artillery. 

The  conflict  having  begun  on  the  right  of  our  army,  at  Me- 
chanicsville,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  26th  ultimo,  we  were  ordered 
out  with  the  rest  of  the  division,  and  remained  in  line  of  battle  all 
night.  At  2.30  A.M.  on  the  2yth,  we  marched  back,  as  directed, 
and  took  up  our  line  so  as  to  defend  the  crossing  of  Games'  Creek 
while  the  trains  and  artillery  effected  a  passage.  This  having 
been  accomplished,  we  again  marched  forward  to  a  new  position, 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  last,  where  it  had  been  determined  to 
prevent  the  further  advance  of  the  enemy. 

The  line  assigned  to  my  brigade,  forming  the  left  of  the  division, 
had  its  left  resting  upon  a  forest,  which,  I  was  informed,  was  held 
by  Griffin's  brigade,  and  our  line  of  battle  was  in  an  open,  plowed 
field,  along  a  gentle  slope,  in  a  measure  hiding  us  from  the  obser- 
vation of  the  enemy,  though  affording  but  little  shelter  from  dis- 
tant curved  firing.  In  front  of  us,  distant  from  200  to  300  yards, 
was  a  belt  of  woods,  growing  in  a  ravine,  through  openings  cf 
which  a  view  could  be  had  of  an  extensive,  open  field  beyond. 
These  woods  I  occupied  with  a  company  of  the  5th  New  York 
Volunteers  as  skirmishers.  From  300  to  400  yards  to  the  right 
of  my  line  was  another  forest  bordering  the  open  field,  and  run- 
ning nearly  in  a  direction  perpendicular  to  our  line.  This  I 
guarded  by  a  company  of  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers,  deployed 
as  skirmishers.  Major  Clitz's  battalion  of  the  I2th  Regular  In- 
fantry was  on  my  right,  on  a  line  nearly  perpendicular  to  mine, 
with  a  large  interval  between  us.  Our  artillery  was  posted  to  the 
rear  and  to  the  left  of  my  line. 

About  io£  o'clock  A.M.  these  arrangements  were  complete, 
and  we  waited  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  The  weather  was 
very  warm. 

About  12^  P.M.  the  enemy  forced  the  passage  of  Games'  Creek 
near  the  mill,  and  cheering  as  they  came,  appeared  in  force  at  a 
distance  in  the  open  field  beyond  the  wooded  ravine  in  my  front. 

About  i  o'clock  P.M.  they  advanced  in  several  lines,  and  at  my 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat— Gaines   Mill.     235 

request,  Captain  Edwards  brought  up  a  section  of  his  battery  on 
my  right,  and  opened  on  them,  and  a  fierce  fire  was  carried  on 
between  them  over  our  heads,  in  which  we  suffered  considerably. 
Captain  Edwards  steadily  kept  up  his  fire,  though  opposed  by  sev- 
eral batteries,  till  the  enemy  having  driven  in  our  line  of  skir- 
mishers, I  advised  him  to  retire.  The  enemy  now  advanced  sharp- 
shooters to  the  edge  of  the  woods  to  pick  off  our  artillerymen, 
posted  behind  us,  but  our  rifle-firing  compelled  them  to  retire. 

One  of  our  batteries  having  opened  with  shrapnel,  the  prema- 
ture explosion  of  these  shells  behind  us  caused  so  much  loss  that 
I  was  compelled  to  change  my  line  by  throwing  the  right  to  the 
rear  along  the  road,  and  the  left  more  toward  the  enemy,  and 
along  the  woods  to  our  left. 

The  enemy's  fire  ceasing  for  a  time,  our  artillery  also  ceased, 
and  there  was  a  lull,  so  that  we  began  to  think  the  enemy  had 
retired.  But  under  the  shelter  of  the  woods  he  had  formed  a 
column  to  attack  the  position  occupied  by  Major  Clitz,  to  the 
right  of  my  first  position,  and  as  soon  as  it  appeared,  the  rapid 
firing  of  our  artillery  dispersed  it  in  a  few  moments.  Again 
there  was  a  lull,  but  this  time  he  had  planned  his  attack  on  the 
position  occupied  by  myself,  and  where  our  artillery  could  not  be 
used  without  endangering  us. 

I  should  think  it  was  now  nearly  3  o'clock  P.M.  Suddenly  a 
regiment  burst  from  the  woods  with  loud  yells,  advancing  at 
double-quick  upon  us.  The  5th  New  York  Volunteers,  which 
had  been  drawn  back  to  be  out  of  the  fire  of  our  own  artillery, 
rapidly  re-formed  to  meet  them  on  our  first  position.  The  enemy 
received  a  portion  of  the  fire  of  the  loth  New  York  Volunteers 
as  he  came  rapidly  on,  and  when  he  neared  the  5th  New  York 
Volunteers  we  charged  back,  turning  his  charge  into  a  flight, 
killing  and  wounding  nearly  all  of  those  who  fled.  This  charge 
of  the  enemy  had  also  been  accompanied  by  a  vigorous  attack  on 
our  position  in  the  woods,  and  as  we  advanced  we  received  a 
heavy  fire  from  the  enemy  stationed  in  them.  Our  men,  nothing 
daunted,  continued  to  advance,  and  drove  them  from  it.  The 
brigade  was  re-formed  (as  well  as  the  confusion  produced  by  this 
charge  would  allow)  in  its  first  position,  and  again  it  successfully 
repulsed  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  driving  him  back  to  the  woods 
in  front,  up  to  which  point  the  colors  of  the  5th  New  York  were 


236         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

twice  carried.  During  this  part  of  the  fight,  the  artillery  on  both 
sides  was  silent.  The  enemy  continued  to  throw  forward  fresh 
troops.  The  gallant  and  lamented  Major  Clitz  engaged  them  on 
the  right. 

The  6th  Regular  infantry  came  to  reinforce  me,  and  I  placed 
them  in  position.  General  Reynolds  also  came  up  now  with  his 
brigade,  and  I  withdrew  my  shattered  regiments.  Besides  the 
exhaustion  of  the  men  from  their  efforts,  and  the  bad  condition 
of  the  arms  from  the  firing  we  had  done,  about  one  hundred  and 
forty  of  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers,  and  about  fifty  of  the 
loth  New  York  Volunteers,  were  killed  and  wounded. 

The  battle  had  now  become  general  all  along  our  lines,  and 
the  artillery  had  resumed  its  fire.  I  took  up  a  position  support- 
ing a  twenty-pounder  battery,  just  to  the  rear  of  the  first  position, 
and  maintained  it,  though  suffering  continually  from  the  enemy's 
fire,  which  now  reached  all  parts  of  the  field.  To  our  left  was 
the  nth  U.  S.  Infantry,  also  supporting  batteries.  Toward 
evening  the  enemy  succeeded  in  forcing  back  the  division 
on  our  left,  when  the  batteries  we  supported  were  withdrawn, 
we  throwing  in  all  the  fire  our  diminished  numbers  would  per- 
mit. We  here  witnessed  the  firm  stand  of  the  nth  U.  S.  Infantry 
on  our  left,  and  the  charge  of  the  2d  U.  S.  Infantry  on  our  right. 
The  advance  of  the  enemy  on  our  front  was  thus  effectually 
checked.  We  then  took  up  a  position  supporting  one  of  the  bat- 
teries under  Captain  Platt,  which  position  we  maintained  till 
darkness  put  an  end  to  the  firing,  and  the  battery  was  with- 
drawn. 

We  were  much  concerned  as  to  the  cause  of  the  cheering 
which  took  place  in  our  rear,  by  the  regiments  of  French's  and 
Meagher's  brigades,  fearing  they  were  a  rebel  force  that  had  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  in  our  rear.  From  the  beginning  of  the  battle, 
till  night  brought  it  to  a  close,  we  were  almost  constantly  under 
fire,  of  which  fact  I  beHeve  the  General  was  a  witness. 

....  Among  the  killed  was  Captain  William  T.  Partridge, 
who  fell  nobly  leading  on  his  men  to  the  charge.  Among  the 
wounded  were  Captain  George  Duryea,  Lieutenant  Thomas  W. 
Cartwright,  Jr.,  Lieutenant  Felix  Agnus,  and  Lieutenant  Ralph 
E.  Prime.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hiram  Duryea  was  everywhere 
conspicuous  in  the  fight,  mounted  on  his  horse,  and  inspired 


The  Seven  Days    Retreat — Games'  Mill.      237 

every  one  by  his  gallantry.  Major  Hull's  horse  was  shot  in  the 
first  charge.  Captain  Winslow  was  acting  as  field-officer,  and 
mounted.  Both  acted  most  bravely.  Colonel  Duryea  speaks  of 
the  gallant  conduct  of  the  following-named  officers,  to  which  I 
can  also  add  my  own  testimony  :  Major  H.  D.  Hull,  Captain 
C.  Winslow,  Captain  William  T.  Partridge,  Captain  George 
Duryea,  Captain  H.  H.  Burnett,  Captain  C.  J.  Cambrelling,  Cap- 
tain W.  F.  Lewis,  Captain  C.  Boyd,  Lieutenants  C.  J.  Mont- 
gomery, G.  O.  Hager,  H.  G.  O.  Eichler,  J.  McConnell,  J.  H. 
Lounsbery,  Charles  Sergeant,  T.  W.  Cartwright,  Jr.,  R.  E. 
Prime,  F.  Agnus,  S.  W.  Wheeler.  I  refer  you  to  the  list  of 
meritorious  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  in  Colonel 
Duryea's  report  submitted  herewith,  and  also  to  it  for  the  names 
of  the  killed  and  wounded. 

Three  of  the  officers  of  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers  left  the 
field,  it  is  believed  unnecessarily,  from  the  effects  of  contusions 
made  by  spent  balls.  Their  conduct  will  be  made  the  subject  of 
official  investigation.  I  received  a  bruise  on  my  knee  by  a  spent 
ball  which  gave  rise  to  the  report  of  my  being  wounded,  and  my 
horse  received  two  balls  in  his  neck,  but  he  carried  me  all  through 
the  fight. 

....  Colonel  Bendix  has  not  furnished  any  report  of  those 
distinguished  for  meritorious  conduct.  I  have  only  to  say  that 
the  Colonel  himself  behaved  in  the  most  cool  and  efficient  man- 
ner, always  at  his  post,  always  ready  to  execute  my  orders  with 
promptness,  and  always  with  his  regiment  under  fire.  I  must 
also  mention  the  gallant  conduct  of  Surgeon  Doolittle,  whose 
horse  was  killed  under  him  and  himself  bruised,  but  who  has 
been  constantly  with  the  command  to  this  day. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed),        G.  K.  WARREN, 

Col.  yh  N.  Y.  Vols.,  com.  ^d  Brigade. 
LIEUTENANT  SAMUEL  A.  FOSTER, 

Aide-de-camp,  and 

Act.  Asst.  Adjt.-Gen.,  Sykes'  Division. 
{Official  Copy}. 

R.  C.  DRUM,  Asst.  Adjt. -General. 
A.  G.  OFFICE,  October  29,  1878. 


238         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  following  extract  from  the  official  report  of  General 
Sykes  was  furnished  for  publication  in  these  pages  through 
the  courtesy  of  the  Hon.  George  W.  McCrary,  Secretary  of 
War: 

HEADQUARTERS  SYKES'  DIVISION,         \ 

CAMP  NEAR  HARRISON'S  LANDING,  V 

July  7,  1862.      ) 

SIR  : — The  events  taking  place  since  the  26th  ultimo  have  fol- 
lowed each  other  so  rapidly  that  they  may  well  be  included  in 
one  general  summary,  which  I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  sub- 
mit :  .  .  .  . 

About  ii  A.M.  (June  27th)  the  enemy  appeared  in  some  force 
beyond  the  ravine  in  front,  and  with  his  artillery  endeavored  to 
shake  the  center  of  my  line  of  battle.  From  this  hour  till  2  P.M., 
his  battalions  being  constantly  strengthened,  he  made  repeated 
attempts  on  the  flanks  and  center  of  my  line,  and  was  as  often 
driven  back  to  his  lair. 

At  noon  Tidball's  Battery  of  Horse  Artillery  reported  to  me, 
and  taking  position  on  the  right  of  Weed,  these  two  batteries 
broke  up  every  attack  of  the  enemy  on  our  right  flank,  and  finally 
sent  him  scampering  to  his  main  body  on  our  left.  Matters  now 
remained  quiet  for  an  hour.  It  was  only  the  lull  that  precedes  a 
storm. 

At  3  P.M.  I  directed  Colonel  Warren  to  throw  forward  his 
skirmishers  and  feel  the  enemy  in  the  ravine.  Desultory  firing 
began,  which  soon  deepened  into  a  continuous  roar,  unvarying 
and  unceasing,  until  darkness  set  in  and  the  conflict  ceased. 

In  this  interval,  between  2  and  3  P.M.,  the  enemy  had  brought 
up  his  reserves,  replenished  his  ammunition,  and,  under  cover  of 
the  forest  heretofore  mentioned,  marshaled  his  legions  for  a 
grand  attack.  It  was  not  one,  but  many,  each  of  which  was  met 
and  repulsed  with  a  steady  valor  that  could  not  be  surpassed. 

In  these  attacks  the  $th  New  York  Volunteers,  under  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Duryea,  and  2d,6th,  1 2th,  and  I4th  U.  S.  Infantry 
were  especially  conspicuous.  The  $th  New  York  Volunteers 
were  the  peers  of  any  troops  on  that  hard-fought  field. 

The  1 2th  and  I4th  U.  S.  Infantry,  under  Major  Clitz  and  Cap- 
tain O'Connell,  advanced  in  the  most  perfect  order  in  line,  hero- 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat — Gained  Mill.      239 

ically  aiding-  Warren's  brigade  (5th  and  loth  New  York  Volun- 
teers), drove  the  enemy  from  our  left  and  center  far  into  the 
woods  beyond. 

In  connection  with  this  movement  the  3d  U.  S.  Infantry,  under 
Major  Rossell,  was  thrown  from  its  original  position  to  the  right 
and  rear  of  the  I2th  and  I4th,  and  while  in  this  exposed  situa- 
tion, boldly  resisting  the  foe,  the  gallant  Major  lost  his  life 

(Signed),  GEORGE  SYKES, 

Brigadier-General  Commanding  Division. 

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

WASHINGTON,  Nov.  27,  1878. 

Official: 
R.  C.  DRUM,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

THE   SEVEN   DAYS'  RETREAT — MALVERN  HILL — HAR- 
RISON'S  LANDING. 

WHITE  OAK  SWAMP— CHARLES  CITY  CROSS-ROADS — GENERAL  KEARNEY — MALVEPN 
HILL — A  DESPERATE  STRUGGLE — REBEL  REPULSE — RETREAT  FROM  MALVERN 
HILL— THE  RAIN  AND  THE  ROADS— AN  INCIDENT— A  LIFE  SAVED  BY  A  STRAT- 
AGEM— REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  H.  DURYEA — LETTER  FROM  SUFGEON 
JOSEPH  S.  SMITH— HARRISON'S  LANDING — THE  CAMPING-GROUND—WANT  OF 
WATER— A  REVIEW  BY  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN— MOVING  OUR  CAMP— REVIEWED 
BY  GENERAL  MCCLELLAN — RESIGNATION  OF  CAPTAIN  CAMERELLING — CHANGES 
— HEALTH  OF  THE  ARMY — HOSPITAL  GROUNDS — A  DEATH  BY  POISON— IM- 
PROVED DIET — A  REBEL  SALUTE — DEATH  IN  A  TENT — PINE  WOODS  EXPE- 
RIENCE—KNAPSACKS FORWARDED— A  NIGHT  MARCH— CROSSING  THE  CHICKA- 
HOMINY  —  NEGRO  MESSENGER  SHOT — SOLDIERS'  HOSPITALITY  REFUSED — 
NEWPORT  NEWS — THE  MARCH  TO  MANASSAS  JUNCTION — ON  TH^  BATTLE- 
FIELD. 

WE  marched  during  the  night,  leaving  behind  us  the  blood- 
stained field,  the  silent  graves  of  our  departed  comrades,  and 
the  multitudes  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  at  length  found 
a  brief  repose  on  the  road  through  White  Oak  Swamp.  The 
next  day,  Sunday,  the  29th  of  June,  we  completed  our  pas- 
sage through  this  part  of  the  exodus.  It  was  a  terribly 
dreary  pilgrimage.  The  heat  was  almost  insupportable  ; 
there  was  not  a  breath  of  air,  and  we  suffered  intensely  for 
the  want  of  water,  of  which  none  could  be  had  but  the  black, 
stagnant  water  of  the  swamp  through  which  we  were  wading. 
Having  again  stepped  upon  firm  ground,  we  formed  in  line 
of  battle  at  Charles  City  Cross-Roads,  pulled  down  the 
fences  in  front,  and  sent  out  pickets.  The  shots  of  skirmish- 
ers were  heard  in  the  vicinity.  We  remained  here,  guarding 
this  important  point,  until  General  Kearney  arrived  with  his 
division  to  relieve  General  Sykes.  General  Kearney  looked 
(240) 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat — Malvern  Hill.     241 

like  a  Knight  errant  of  old ;  his  face  was  bronzed  by  ex- 
posure, and  as  he  sat  on  his  horse,  straight  as  an  arrow, 
with  his  strongly-marked  and  stern  countenance,  holding  the 
reins  in  his  teeth,  he  was  a  perfect  picture  of  a  soldier. 

At  10  A.M.  Sumner's  corps  were  attacked  by  the  enemy 
at  Allen's  field,  but  were  repulsed.  At  4  P.M.  Sumner's  and 
Franklin's  corps  were  attacked  near  Savage's  Station,  and 
fought  until  9  P.M.,  when  the  enemy  retired. 

We  continued  our  march  on  Monday,  the  3oth,  to  Turkey 
Bend  Creek,  near  Malvern  Hill.  At  this  point  we  were 
formed  in  line  of  battle,  sent  out  pickets  and  skirmishers, 
advanced  through  a  wood,  and  the  skirmishers  reached  an 
immense  corn-field  on  level  ground,  outside  of  the  wood. 
Sergeant  William  Hoffman  about  5  P.M.  discovered  the 
enemy  in  force  over  a  corner  of  the  corn-field,  in  the  edge 
of  a  wood,  with  artillery  in  position.  Colonel  Warren  was 
immediately  notified,  who  ordered  Lieutenant  Dumont,  of 
the  Fifth,  on  detached  service  with  the  signal  corps,  to 
signal  the  gun-boats  Jacob  Bell,  Galena,  and  Aroostook,  which 
opened  over  the  heads  of  the  Fifth,  where  they  rested  on 
their  arms  in  the  wood,  and  created  great  havoc  in  the 
rebel  ranks,  thereby  preventing  them  from  advancing.* 
Sergeants  Forbes,  Wilson,  Jack  Taylor,  and  Hoffman,  and 
some  others  were  stationed  in  the  corn-field  and  elsewhere, 
to  signal  where  the  shell  struck,  so  as  to  regulate  the  aim  of 
the  gunners.  Some  batteries  and  infantry  also  opened  from 
the  Hill,  and  drove  the  enemy  back,  leaving  two  guns  of 
Graham's  battery,  with  their  caissons,  in  the  hands  of  Colonel 
Warren.  The  guns  were  subsequently  spiked,  and  the 
spokes  of  the  wheels  cut  with  axes,  leaving  them  entirely 
unserviceable.  About  half  a  barrel  of  whisky  and  a  quan- 


*  While  engaged  in  this  duty.  Lieutenant  Dumont  was  stationed  on  the  roof  of 
a  large  house  situated  on  Malvern  Hill,  and  was  much  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the 
enemy's  batteries.  He  was  highly  commended  for  his  good  conduct. 

II 


242         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

tity  of  prime  pork  were  also  seized,  the  latter  being  distrib- 
uted among  the  men.* 

When  the  hundred-pound  shell  from  the  gun-boats  came 
rushing  over  our  heads,  they  conveyed  the  impression  that 
flour  barrels  were  flying  through  the  air,  and  it  required  con- 
siderable nerve  to  listen  to  their  roar  without  being  moved, 
especially  as  a  mistaken  signal  or  a  short  fuse  would  bring  a 
shell  in  our  midst.  The  discharges  from  one  gun  especially 
were  rather  unreliable,  and  it  was  with  a  sigh  of  relief  that 
we  heard  its  shell  go  beyond  us.  The  crash,  as  they  burst 
in  the  woods  among  the  enemy,  was  terrible.  During  the 
night  the  Fifth  and  Tenth  were  in  line  of  battle  in  the 
wood,  expecting  an  attack.  Some  cattle  were  slaughtered, 
and  small  pieces  of  tough  meat  were  distributed,  but  as  there 
were  no  means  of  cooking,  fires  not  being  allowed,  it  was  of 
no  benefit  to  us  whatever. 

The  enemy  attempted  to  follow  the  army  across  White 
Oak  Swamp,  and  attacked  General  Franklin's  corps  about 
i  P.M.,  but  were  repulsed.  At  night,  after  a  desperate  en- 
gagement of  five  hours  near  the  Charles  City  Cross-Roads, 
and  after  driving  McCalFs  division,  the  enemy  were  again 
repulsed  by  Generals  Hooker  and  Kearney,  aided  by  Gen- 
eral Stunner's  corps.  These  continual  encounters  had  kept 
the  army  in  unceasing  activity,  and  the  month  of  July  opened 
wearisomely  upon  us,  for  the  men  had  passed  the  previous 
twenty-four  hours  without  sleep. 

Remaining  in  position,  Porter's  corps  held  the  left  of  the 
line  with  many  batteries ;  Sykes'  division  on  the  left,  with 


*  General  McClellan's  Report  (p.  268)  :  "  At  about  this  time,  4  p  M.,  the  enemy 
began  to  appear  in  General  Porter's  front,  and  at  5  o'clock  advanced  in  large 
force  against  his  left  flank,  posting  artillery  under  cover  of  a  skirt  of  timber,  with 
a  view  to  engage  our  force  on  Malvern  Hill,  while  with  his  infantry  and  some  ar- 
tillery, he  attacked  Colonel  Warren's  brigade.  A  concentrated  fire  of  about 
thirty  guns  was  brought  to  bear  on  the  enemy,  which  with  the  infantry  fire  of 
Colonel  Warren's  command  compelled  him  to  retreat,  leaving  two  guns  in  the 
hands  of  Colonel  Warren." 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat — Malvern  Hill.     243 

Warren's  brigade  on  the  extreme  left  on  low  ground,  which 
was  swept  by  the  fire  of  the  gun-boats.  It  was  a  vital  point, 
for  if  the  enemy  could  force  their  way  in  here,  they  would  be 
enabled  to  cut  off  the  line  of  retreat  to  the  James  River,  hence 
their  desperate  efforts  during  the  battle  to  force  back  the  left 
flank.  About  9  A.M.  the  enemy  commenced  the  attack 
with  their  artillery,  the  batteries  on  the  hill  replying.  In  the 
afternoon,  the  Fifth  and  Tenth  were  advanced  to  the  edge  of 
the  wood  facing  the  corn-field,  the  Fifth  on  the  extreme  left, 
the  Tenth  on  their  right,  which  rested  on  the  Richmond  road, 
running  along  by  the  "  Hill,"  and  the  regulars  on  their 
right.* 

The  men  were  ordered  to  build  barricades  of  logs  and 
stones  from  the  fence,  and  whatever  other  material  they 
could  make  available,  and  two  men  were  placed  together 
about  fifteen  feet  apart  behind  each  barricade.  Their  orders 
were  to  hold  their  posts  to  the  last  man.  About  noon  the 
enemy  made-a  demonstration  on  our  left,  as  if  they  intended 
to  attack  us,  but  the  fire  of  our  battery  and  from  the  gun- 
boats drove  them  to  cover. 

About  3  P.M.  a  heavy  artillery  fire  was  opened  by  the 
enemy  on  Kearney's  division,  and  their  infantry  advanced 
against  Couch's  division  on  the  right  of  General  Porter,  but 
they  reserved  their  fire  and  drove  the  enemy  back  in  dis- 
order. Shortly  after  4  P.M.  the  firing  ceased  along  the  whole 
line,  but  it  was  only  the  calm  that  precedes  the  storm.  At 
6  P.M.  the  enemy  suddenly  opened  with  the  whole  of  their 
artillery,  soon  after  which  brigade  after  brigade  started  on  a 
run  from  the  cover  of  the  woods,  and  across  the  open  ground 

*  General  McClellan's  Report  (p.  269)  :  "  From  the  position  of  the  enemy,  his 
most  obvious  lines  of  attack  would  come  from  the  directions  of  Richmond  and  White 
Oak  Swamp,  and  would  almost  of  necessity  strike  us  upon  our  left  wing.  Here, 
therefore,  the  lines  were  strengthened  by  massing  the  troops  and  collecting  the 
principal  part  of  the  artillery.  Porter's  corps  held  the  left  of  the  line  (Sykes'  divis- 
ion) on  the  left  (p.  270).  One  brigade  of  Porter's  was  thrown  to  the  left  on  the  low 
ground,  to  protect  the  flank  from  any  movement  direct  from  the  Richmond  road." 


244        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

to  storm  the  batteries  stationed  on  the  left,  supported  by 
Porter's  and  Couch's  commands  ;  but  they  were  met  by  such 
a  withering  fire  of  grape  and  canister  shot,  that  they  were 
mowed  down  in  heaps.  Still  did  these  brave  men  sweep  on, 
when  the  infantry,  who  had  reserved  their  fire,  opened  with 
such  terrible  volleys,  that  their  columns  broke,  and  the  rem- 
nants went  back  reeling  and  tottering  like  drunken  men.  In 
the  meantime  the  terrible  shell  from  the  gun-boats  fell  among 
them  as  they  were  gathering  in  the  edge  of  the  wood  for 
their  reckless  and  desperate  charges,  which  were  without  a 
parallel  almost  in  history.  General  Porter  had  sent  to  Gen- 
eral Sumner  about  6  P.M.,  who  was  the  chief  in  command, 
for  reinforcements,  who  sent  to  him  Meagher's,  Richardson's, 
Sickles',  and  Patterson's  brigades,  who  relieved  such  of  the 
troops  as  were  out  of  ammunition.  By  the  steady,  cool  fire 
of  the  infantry,  aided  by  the  batteries,  the  enemy  were  driven 
back  to  the  cover  of  the  woods,  leaving  the  ground  in  front 
heaped  with  their  slain.  The  loss  of  the  Union  side  was 
comparatively  small  as  compared  to  that  of  the  Confederates. 
The  enemy  in  large  force  at  one  time  advanced  against 
Warren's  brigade  on  the  extreme  left;  Pollard  says: 
"  Holmes'  division  were  frustrated  from  cutting  the  enemy 
off  from  the  river  by  the  severe  fire  of  the  gun-boats."  We 
could  plainly  see  the  flashing  of  their  bayonets  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  corn-field.  The  continual  roar  of  artillery 
and  musketry  during  the  battle  was  like  long  rolls  of  thunder, 
and  did  not  slacken  until  9  P.M. 

The  men  remained  in  their  positions  in  the  barricades  all 
night,  and  were  worn  out  and  almost  dead  for  want  of  sleep. 
They  felt  as  if  they  had  heavy  weights  fastened  to  their 
eyelids,  but  they  were  kept  awake  by  the  consciousness  of 
the  great  responsibilities  resting  upon  them ;  knowing  also 
that  the  penalty  of  sleeping  on  their  posts  in  such  a  position 
was  death.  Moreover,  one-half  of  the  regiment,  who  were 
on  reserve,  went  the  grand  rounds,  under  command  of  Major 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Malvern  Hill.     245 

Hull  or  Captain  Winslow,  every  half  hour.  The  enemy  ap- 
peared to  be  desperate  enough  to  undeitake  any  movement 
to  destroy  the  Union  army,  and  it  was  probable  they  might 
attempt  to  accomplish,  under  the  cover  of  darkness,  what 
they  had  failed  to  do  by  day.  Besides,  as  was  currently  re- 
ported, they  had  been  plied  with  whisky,  and  could  be  led 
into  the  jaws  of  death  itself,  and  it  was  necessary  to  be 
vigilant. 

On  the  right  of  the  Richmond  road  was  stationed  James 
W.  Webb,  of  Company  F,  a  trusty  and  reliable  soldier,  and 
on  the  left  of  it  was  William  Higgins,  of  the  same  company. 
The  clatter  of  a  horse's  hoofs  were  heard  coming  from  the 
direction  of  the  enemy,  and  soon  the  form  of  an  officer  on 
horseback  loomed  up  over  a  slight  hill  on  the  road.  He 
discovered  Webb  at  the  same  time  he  was  sighted,  and  im- 
mediately pulled  rein  and  came  to  a  sudden  halt.  He  called 
out  and  inquired  where  General  Whiting's  headquarters 
were  situated ;  Webb  pulled  his  cap  off  and  said,  "  Come 
forward,  they  are  a  short  distance  in  the  rear."  But  un- 
fortunately at  this  moment  Sergeant  F.,  who  was  a  few  feet 
in  the  rear  of  the  picket,  jumped  into  the  road  and  said, 
"You  are  my  prisoner."  The  officer  turned  his  horse  about 
in  almost  a  second  of  time,  and  disappeared  over  the  brow 
of  the  hill.  Webb  and  Higgins  fired  their  rifles  at  him  as 
quick  as  they  could,  but  he  did  not  fall  from  his  horse. 
Thus,  by  the  want  of  forethought  on  the  part  of  the  Sergeant, 
the  capture  of  an  officer  with,  in  all  probability,  important 
dispatches,  was  frustrated. 

After  the  battle  the  army  commenced  to  retreat  again, 
and  wagons,  troops,  artillery,  and  ambulances  were  leaving 
all  night  as  their  convenience  dictated.  The  covering  of 
the  retreat  was  left,  as  usual,  to  Sykes'  division.  On  the 
morning  of  Wednesday,  the  2d,  about  4  o'clock,  a  heavy 
storm  of  rain  began,  which  continued  the  entire  day.  The 
balance  of  the  troops  were  retreating  from  the  hill  in  a  dis- 


246        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

organized  mass,  fleeing  from  a  beaten  and  demoralized  foe. 
They  became  blocked  up  on  the  road  among  the  ambulances 
and  wagons;  many  of  the  sick,  weak,  and  wounded  were 
knocked  down  and  trampled  upon,  notwithstanding  their 
cries  of  anguish.  When  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hiram  Duryea 
saw  this,  his  soul  revolted  at  the  sight.  He  also  knew  that 
if  he  marched  his  regiment  into  such  a  disorganized  mass 
of  moving  humanity  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to 
keep  their  formation,  and  he  would  lose  all  control  of  their 
movements ;  he  therefore  ordered  a  halt,  and  remarked  that 
"  before  he  would  take  his  command  into  such  a  mob,  he 
would  face  the  whole  Southern  Confederacy."  An  aide 
soon  came  to  him  with  orders  to  move,  but  he  took  the 
responsibility  of  acting  on  his  own  better  judgment ;  an 
aide  came  a  second  time  with  orders  to  move,  followed  in 
a  few  moments  by  Colonel  Warren.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Duryea  explained,  in  a  few  brief  words,  the  situation  of 
affairs,  and  pointed  to  a  train  of  wagons  on  the  hill,  ap- 
parently abandoned  by  their  guard,  that  should  be  moved 
off.  Colonel  Warren  took  in  the  situation  at  a  glance,  and 
looking  toward  the  retreating  crowd,  exclaimed,  "This  is 
disgraceful !  "  He  called  the.  officers  together,  and,  after  a 
brief  consultation,  turned  and  surveyed  his  men  for  a  mo- 
ment, when  he  called  out,  "  Unfurl  your  colors  ;"  "About 
face  !  Forward,  march  !  "  and  the  regiment  moved  down  the 
Richmond  road,  toward  the  enemy,  formed  in  line  of  battle 
on  the  hill,  and  there  they  stood  alone  awaiting  orders. 
Colonel  Warren  sent  an  aide  to  order  up  a  battery.  In  a 
few  moments  a  fine  battery  of  artillery  came  up,  the  horses 
on  a  run,  unlimbered,  and  the  men  stood  by  their  guns,  pre- 
pared for  action.  In  the  meantime  some  of  the  regiment 
were  detailed  to  gather  together  a  lot  of  abandoned  shell 
and  ammunition  which  was  lying  near,  and  throw  it  into  a 
ditch,  that  it  might  be  of  no  service  to  the  enemy.  When 
the  regiment  was  ready  to  move  the  first  time,  Colonel 


The  Seven  Days'  Retreat— Malvern  Hill.     247 

Warren  ordered  Lieutenant to  see  to  it  personally  that 

all  the  men  on  picket  were  called  in.  As  the  regiment  was 
about  to  march,  the  Colonel  discovered  a  Zouave  (Corporal 
James  R.  Murray,  of  Company  A)  standing  a  good  dis- 
tance off  alone,  who  had  not  been  relieved,  but,  like  the 
Roman  centurion  of  old,  would  not  forsake  his  post  without 
orders.  He  dashed  up  to  the  Lieutenant,  and  asked  him  if 
he  had  obeyed  his  orders  in  reference  to  the  men  on  picket, 
to  which  the  officer  answered  in  the  affirmative.  "Then," 
said  the  Colonel,  "  what  is  that  man  doing  out  there ;  is  that 
the  way  you  forsake  my  men?  is  that  the  way  you  obey 
orders?  Draw  your  sword  and  defend  yourself,"  at  the 
same  time  he  half  unsheathed  his  own  sword,  for  he  was 
very  much  vexed. 

The  regiment  remained  in  this  position,  the  Tenth  not 
having  halted,  until  the  road  was  clear,  in  the  meantime 
manifesting  much  interest  in  the  skirmishing  of  the  cavalry 
with  the  enemy  in  the  edge  of  the  woods  on  the  other  side 
of  the  plateau.  Finally  they  were  ordered  to  march,  and 
when  they  came  to  a  little  bridge  that  led  over  the  creek,  they 
found  that  its  supporting  timbers  were  nearly  cut  through,  as 
well  as  the  trees  each  side  of  the  road  near  it,  and  men  with 
axes  in  hand  stood  read)''  to  put  the  finishing  strokes  as  soon 
as  the  rear  guard  had  passed  over.  There  were  no  troops 
left  behind  at  this  time  but  Colonel  Buchanan's  brigade  of 
regulars,  a  battery,  and  Colonel  Averill  with  the  3d  Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry.  This  was  nearly  7  A.M.  These  troops  were 
the  last  to  leave.  "  Sykes'  division  could  have  held  the  hill 
if  ordered  to  do  so." 

The  men  experienced  this  day  the  hardest  marching  they 
had  ever  endured.  They  had  been  without  sleep  for  forty- 
eight  hours  ;  a  cold  north-east  storm  had  set  in,  and  it  was 
raining  in  torrents.  The  road  was  cut  up  by  the  wheels,  so  as 
to  be  almost  impassable.  The  men  forded  innumerable  small 
streams  and  ditches,  often  nearly  waist  deep.  At  the  nu- 


248        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

merous  halts,  the  road  and  fields  being  blocked  very  often, 
they  could  not  sit  down  without  being  content  to  rest  in  mud 
a  foot  deep ;  the  fields  on  either  side  of  the  road  were  all 
underwater,  and  the  men  were  continually  slipping  and  fall- 
ing down.  They  were  very  much  weakened  in  their  condi- 
tion, for,  be  it  remembered,  this  was  the  seventh  day  in  which 
they  had  been  deprived  of  their  sleep,  except  the  few  hours 
now  and  then  snatched  at  intervals ;  they  had  nothing  to  eat 
except  a  little  hard-tack,  and  were  almost  starved  and  thor- 
oughly reduced.  Moreover,  they  were  obliged'  to  form  in 
line  of  battle  after  every  mile's  march,  and  wait  for  the 
wagons  to  pass  on. 

Beside  all  these  trials  of  endurance,  the  continual  excite- 
ment of  battle  and  suspense  night  and  day,  and  the  never- 
ceasing  rattle  of  musketry  and  thunder  of  artillery,  of  which 
there  seemed  to  be  no  end,  there  was  added  the  doubt  as  to 
where  they  would  come  to  rest.  Such  was  the  indifference 
on  this  day,  that  a  colored  man  who  had  been  run  over,  and 
was  lying  in  the  road,  was  left  to  his  fate,  no  one  taking  the 
trouble  to  pull  the  body  out  of  the  way  ;  wagons  and  ar- 
tillery passed  over  it,  as  if  it  were  nothing  but  a  dead  dog. 
Finally,  at  night,  we  reached  Harrison's  Landing,  with  an 
unbroken  organization  as  a  regiment,  one  of  the  very  few, 
outside  of  Sykes'  division,  of  which  the  same  is  recorded,  in 
the  5th  corps.  A  large  ration  of  whisky  was  given  to  each 
man,  and  the  whole  army  were  soon  vigorously  recounting 
their  experiences ;  but  they  laid  down  in  the  mud  and 
water  and,  notwithstanding  the  rain,  which  continued  all 
night  and  until  noon  of  next  day,  slept  soundly.  We  had 
no  covering  but  the  sky,  for  nearly  all  in  the  regiment 
had  lost  their  knapsacks,  and  all  they  possessed  was  on 
their  backs. 

The  loss  during  the  seven  days,  in  Morell's,  Sykes',  Mc- 
CalFs  and  Slocum's  divisions,  the  same  that  fought  the  battle 
of  Games'  Mill,  was  8,500  in  killed  and  wounded  alone.  If 


The  Seven  Days   Retreat — Malvern  Hill.     249 

all  the  divisions  in  the  army  had  lost  in  the  same  proportion, 
it  would  show  a  total  loss  of  over  25,000  men. 

One  instance,  out  of  many,  will  serve  to  show  the  straits 
to  which  the  men  were  reduced  on  the  retreat. 

One  of  the  drummers  saw  Drum-Major  John  M.  Smith,  of 
the  Fifth,  sitting  on  a  log  at  the  side  of  the  road,  completely 
worn  out  and  not  able  to  go  any  further.  He  told  the 
drummer  that  he  was  starving,  not  having  eaten  a  mouthful 
in  three  days.  The  latter  was  possessed  of  a  few  crackers, 
and  gave  him  two  or  three,  and  told  him  not  to  move  a  foot 
from  where  he  was,  and  he  would  get  him  some  meat.  The 
drummer  started  off  with  not  the  slightest  idea  where  he  was 
to  obtain  it ;  but  fortunately  he  saw  a  colored  man  toasting 
a  piece  of  bacon  over  a  fire.  He  immediately  accosted  him, 
and  asked  him  whose  servant  he  was  ;  to  which  the  negro 
replied,  giving  the  name  of  a  well-known  General.  J., 
nothing  abashed,  said  that  he  was  a  cousin  of  General  Mc- 
Clellan.  "  Shuah  ?  "  said  the  cook.  "  Shuah,"  said  J.,  "  and 
I  would  be  very  much  obliged  to  you  'if  you  will  fill  my  can- 
teen with  water,  as  I  am  wounded  in  the  leg,  and  it  is  hard 
work  to  move  ;  in  the  meantime,  I  will  toast  your  bacon." 
Off  went  the  innocent  on  his  errand  to  do  a  favor  for  the 
cousin  of  the  General  of  the  army,  and,  of  course,  as  soon  as 
he  was  out  of  sight,  off  went  J.  with  the  bacon.  Smith  ate 
the  whole  of  it,  and  it  probably  saved  his  life. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  Colonel  Duryea  on  the 
service  of  the  regiment  from  June  26th  to  July  2d  : 

REPORT  OF  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  HIRAM  DURYEA, 
Commanding  the  $th  Regiment — Seven  Days'  Retreat. 

HEADQUARTERS  STH  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  V.,  » 

CAMP  NEAR  HARRISON'S  LANDING,  (. 

71*^4,1862.         J 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  respectfully  submit  the  following  re- 
port of  the  movements  of  this  regiment  from  June  26th  to  July 
2d,  inclusive. 

11* 


250        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Thursday  at  4  P.M.  moved  out  of  camp  to  the  support  of  McCall's 
division  on  the  Mechanicsville  road,  bivouacked  that  night  in  line 
of  battle  in  an  open  field,  where  we  remained  until  about  half-past 
four  on  Friday  morning1,  when  we  returned  to  our  camp,  slung 
knapsacks,  and  move.d  on  the  road  toward  Coal  Harbor.  About 
daybreak  formed  a  line  of  battle  on  the  skirt  of  a  wood  in  rear 
of  Games'  Mill,  where  we  remained  for  about  two  hours,  then 
moved  forward  in  the  direction  and  to  the  left  of  Coal  Harbor, 
where  we  formed  line  of  battle  in  an  -open  field  about  half-past 
10  A.M.  Here  we  rested  until  about  noon,  when,  in  accordance 
with  your  order,  we  changed  our  position  forward,  our  line  resting 
under  the  crest  of  a  hill  about  two  hundred  yards  from  a  piece  of 
woods,  where,  after  remaining  about  half  an  hour,  the  enemy  ap- 
peared in  force  opposite  our  right,  advancing  in  successive  lines 
of  battle.  Shortly  after  making  their  appearance  they  posted  a 
battery  on  our  right  and  opened  fire  through  an  opening  in  the 
woods,  throwing  shrapnel,  shell,  grape,  and  canister  with  ac- 
curacy and  effect.  Company  E  was  then  ordered  to  the  front 
as  skirmishers,  to  pick  off  the  gunners  from  the  batteries,  which 
was  done  with  considerable  effect ;  they  were  driven  in  by  an  ad- 
vance of  the  enemy  in  force,  which  was  met  by  a  fire  by  com- 
panies along  the  whole  regiment,  followed  by  fire  by  file,  which 
had  the  effect  to  check  the  enemy  and  drive  them  back  into  the 
woods.  They  did  not  appear  again  for  about  an  hour  ;  the  bat- 
teries meanwhile  continued  to  play  upon  us,  thinning  our  ranks 
perceptibly.  Agreeable  with  your  orders,  we  again  changed  po- 
sition, forming  line  of  battle  in  the  road.  Shortly  after  the  enemy 
emerged  in  force  from  the  woods  on  our  left,  and  we  then  resumed 
our  former  position  on  the  crest  of  the  hill.  Of  the  charge  which 
the  regiment  then  made,  in  which  Colonel  Warren  and  all  the 
field  officers,  mounted,  took  a  part  in  leading,  it  is  unnecessary 
for  me  to  report.  Suffice  it  that  the  enemy  were  driven  in  con- 
fusion from  the  field,  and  the  fugitives  were  nearly  annihilated  by 
our  fire.  The  enemy  with  fresh  troops  now  opened  with  musketry 
from  the  woods.;  the  most  deadly  fire  being  carried  on  by  both 
sides,  they  several  times  appearing  on  the  field  in  force.  They 
fought  bravely  and  contested  the  ground  with  great  stubbornness  ; 
our  line  was  several  times  forced  to  yield,  which  it  did  in  good 
order,  before  a  greatly  superior  force,  but  as  often  advanced  and 


Report  of  Lieut. -Col.  H.  Duryea.  251 

regained  the  ground  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  We  occupied 
the  ground  till  reinforcements  came  to  our  support  and  held  it ; 
when  we  were  relieved  and  ordered  to  support  batteries  of  field 
artillery  on  our  right,  which  we  did  until  8>£  P.M.,  delivering  an 
effective  fire  whenever  the  enemy  approached,  and  suffering  con- 
siderably. Night  having  set  in.  and  firing  having  ceased,  the 
batteries  were  withdrawn,  and  we  retired  from  the  field.  We 
were  in  the  engagement  about  eight  and  a  half  hours,  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  under  a  very  severe  fire. 

Colonel  Warren  having  charge  of  the  brigade,  left  but  two 
field  officers  to  the  regiment,  and'Captain  Cleveland  Winslow,  of 
Company  E,  was  detailed  to  act  as  Major.  During  the  action 
the  following  changes  took  place  in  the  commands  of  companies  : 

Lieutenant  C  S.  Montgomery,  of  Company  C,  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  Company  B.  The  two  remaining  officers,  of 
Company  C  being  subsequently  wounded,  Lieutenant  Eichler,  of 
Company  H,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  that  company  ; 
Lieutenant  Lounsberry,  of  Company  K,  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  Company  E. 

I  wish  to  mention  the  gallant  conduct  of  the  following  officers : 
Major  Hull,  Captain  Winslow,  Captain  Partridge,  Captain 
Duryea,  Captain  Burnett,  Captain  Cambrelling,  Captain  Lewis, 
Captain  Boyd,  First  Lieutenant  Montgomery,  Lieutenant  Sargent, 
Lieutenant  Hager,  Lieutenant  Cartwright,  First  Lieutenant 
Eichler,  Lieutenant  McConnell,  Lieutenant  Lounsberry,  Second 
Lieutenant  Prime,  Second  Lieutenant  Wheeler,  Second  Lieuten- 
ant Agnus,  Their  coolness  was  particularly  shown  in  preparing 
for  the  last  charge,  just  previous  to  which,  the  regiment  being 
very  much  thinned,  the  ranks  were  closed  and  told  off  with  great 
coolness  under  a  most  terrific  fire. 

Captain  Wm,  T.  Partridge,  of  Company  I,  behaved  with  great 
bravery  and  coolness,  commanding  the  admiration  of  the  entire 
regiment.  He  was  nearly  the  whole  day  advanced  with  his  com- 
pany as  skirmishers  in  a  very  exposed  position,  and  was  killed 
while  gallantly  leading  his  company  in  a  charge, 

I  must  also  call  attention  to  the  following  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates  whose  meritorious  acts  come  under  the 
notice  of  myself  and  officers  : 

Color-Sergeant  Andrew  B.  Allison,  who  bore  the  National 


252         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Flag,  which  was  pierced  by  eight  balls,  one  of  which  nearly 
severed  the  staff. 

Color-Sergeant  John  H.  Berrian,  who  bore  the  Regimental 
Standard,  which  was  pierced  by  eleven  balls,  one  of  which  entered 
the  staff.  Color-Corporal  George  L.  Guthrie,  Company  D.  Or- 
derly Sergeants  Patrick  Gilligan,  Company  A  ;  John  H.  Reilly, 
Company  D  ;  John  Frie,  Company  E.  Sergeant  Thomas  R. 
Martin,  Company  D.  Corporals  John  McKenna,  Company  D ; 
Jos.  H.  Pierce,  Company  D.  Sergeant  John  S.  Raymond,  Com- 
pany E.  Orderly  Sergeants  Andrew  Whitehead,  Company  H  ; 
Wm.  McDowell,  Company  G.  Sergeant  Wm.  H.  Chambers, 
Company  H.  Privates  Wm.  H.  Manderville,  Company  F  ;  James 
E.  McBeth,  Company  H  ;  John  McGeehan  Company  E  ;  Drum- 
mer-boy Robert  Daly,  Company  D. 

We  went  into  action  about  450  strong. 

[For  list  of  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  see  Appendix]. 

You  will  observe  that  our  loss  amounts  to  thirty-six  per  cent, 
of  the  number  that  we  took  into  the  field.  Dr.  Owen  Munson, 
Assistant  Surgeon,  remained  with  the  sick  and  wounded  at 
Savage  Station,  and  no  doubt  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
He  is  the  officer  reported  missing. 

Of  the  missing  enlisted  men,  some  are  supposed  to  have  been 
wounded  and  left  on  the  field,  and  all  are  supposed  to  have  been 
taken  prisoners.  After  leaving  the  battle-field,  we  proceeded  to 
near  Woodbury's  Bridge,  where  we  bivouacked  and  remained 
until  three  o'clock  Saturday  morning,  28th,  when  we  crossed  the 
Chickahominy  and  remained  supporting  the  artillery,  defending 
the  passage  of  the  stream  till  about  5  P.M.  We  then  pro- 
ceeded in  the  direction  of  Savage  Station,  marching  all  night, 
crossing  the  White  Oak  Swamp  on  the  morning  of  the  29th, 
halting  on  the  Charles  City  Cross-Roads  in  the  direction  of  Rich- 
mond. Monday  morning  took  up  the  march  and  halted  about 
noon  at  Turkey  Creek,  near  James  River.  Here  we  took  a 
position  on  the  Richmond  road  along  the  river.  About  3  o'clock 
P.M.  the  enemy  appeared  in  force  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and 
artillery.  The  latter  opening  fire  upon  us,  we  prepared  to  give 
them  battle,  advancing  our  skirmishers  along  the  edge  of  the 
woods  ;  when  the  enemy  being  fired  upon  by  the  gun-boats 
and  artillery  on  our  right,  he  retired. 


Report  of  Lieut. -CoL  H.  Duryea.  253 

We  remained  on  the  ground  that  night,  and  in  the  morning 
were  reinforced  by  a  section  of  artillery.  About  noon  the  enemy, 
force  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  again  made  their  appearance  ad- 
vancing along  the  Richmond  road.  We  opened  fire  on  them 
from  our  battery,  and  succeeded  in  driving  them  back  ;  they 
afterward  appeared  several  times  during  the  day,  but  were  as 
often  driven  back.  In  this  position  we  were  very  much  exposed, 
shell  often  falling  inside  our  lines.  The  entire  regiment  re- 
mained on  picket  till  I  o'clock  Wednesday  morning,  July  2d. 
Marched  through  a  cold  and  drenching  rain  to  near  Harrison's 
Bar,  where  we  arrived  and  bivouacked  about  5  P.M. 

During  all  these  trying  scenes  the  men  under  my  command 
have  maintained  a  spirit  of  cheerfulness  and  determination,  yield- 
ing none  of  their  discipline  or  soldierly  pride. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
H.  DURYEA, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Commanding  tyh  N.  Y.  Vols. 

To  Lieutenant  A.  S.  MARVIN,  JR., 
Assistant  Adjutant-General, 

^d  Brigade,  Sykes'  Division. 

The  following  letter  from  Surgeon  Jos.  S.  Smith  speaks 
for  itself: 

HEADQUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  POTOMAC, 

July**,  1862. 
COLONEL  G.  K.  WARREN  : 

Dear  Sir : — While  within  the  Confederate  lines  I  was  much 
gratified  at  often  hearing  the  highest  praise  bestowed  upon  your 
gallant  regiment  by  the  enemy. 

From  their  Generals  down  through  all  grades  they  all  coin- 
cided that  they  never  had  seen  the  superiors  of  the  "  red  legs  '' 
for  unflinching  courage  and  coolness. 

Yours,  with  respect, 

Jos.  S.  SMITH, 
Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 

July  29,  1862. 
The  above  was  sent  to  me  by  Colonel  Warren,  then  Acting 


254        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Brigadier-General,  I  being  in  command  of  the  regiment  in  the 
actions  referred  to. 

H.  DURYEA, 
Lieut.-Col.  Commanding  ^th  N.  Y.  VoL  Infantry. 

HARRISON'S  LANDING. 

Wednesday,  July  3. — In  the  morning  we  were  saluted 
soon  after  reveille  by  the  report  of  cannon,  and  some  shell 
dropped  into  camp.  The  regiment  was  ordered  out  into  line 
of  battle,  and  after  advancing  and  standing  under  arms  for 
some  time,  the  firing  ceased.  The  battery  was  charged  and 
captured  by  the  5th  Maine,  and  was  found  to  consist  of  two 
rifled  pieces.  The  cannoneers  and  an  officer  were  taken 
prisoners. 

The  next  day,  the  4th,  a  salute  was  fired  in  honor  of  the 
day  at  sunrise,  and  in  the  afternoon  we  were  reviewed  by 
General  McClellan  and  staff,  and  a  Major- General's  salute 
fired  by  the  artillery  in  each  corps.  His  address,  which  was 
very  eloquent  and  patriotic,  was  read  to  the  men. 

Some  of  the  companies  in  the  Fifth  were  in  command  of 
non-commissioned  officers  and  Second  Lieutenants,  most  of 
the  officers  having  resigned,  or  were  on  the  list  of  sick  and 
wounded.  This  loss  of  officers  made  room  for  many  promo- 
tions. Many  of  the  officers  and  men  had  contracted  the 
fever  peculiar  to  the  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy,  which 
made  a  large  portion  of  them  invalids  for  life.  Three  of  the 
former  were  under  arrest,  and  awaiting  trial  by  court-martial, 
for  their  unsoldierly  conduct  in  the  late  retreat.  The  regi- 
ment numbered  in  Baltimore,  when  in  the  height  of  its  organ- 
ization, 1,000 ;  only  about  two  months  previous.  We  mus- 
tered on  the  4th  for  duty  only  350  men. 

Harrison's  Landing  was  favorably  situated  for  a  large 
camp,  easily  defended,  and  supplied  with  the  necessary  pro- 
visions and  forage  by  way  of  the  James  River.  The  Fifth 
was  encamped  about  two  miles  back  from  the  river,  on  the 


Harrison's  Landing.  255 

borders  of  a  narrow  strip  of  timber,  through  which  flowed 
Herring  Creek,  a  narrow  stream  which  emptied  into  the 
James  River,  suitable  for  bathing  and  washing  clothes,  if  the 
men  had  any  to  wash.  But  there  was  one  great  deficiency: 
the  cause  of  constant  delay,  trouble,  and  vexation — the  ab- 
sence of  pure  water  for  consumption.  Much  of  the  time 
was  spent  in  waiting  turn  on  the  line  at  the  only  spring  in 
the  camp.  Most  of  the  men  had  lost  their  knapsacks  in  the 
recent  "change  of  base,"  and  were  obliged  to  bivouac  with 
star-rays  for  mantles,  and  pillows  of  turf  from  the  sacred 
soil.  Requisitions  for  knapsacks,  clothing,  etc.,  were  made, 
but  some  time  elapsed  before  their  arrival.  Many  of  the 
men  had  scarcely  anything  left  of  their  uniform  but  rags,  and 
there  were  very  few  who  did  not  carry  these  fluttering  badges 
of  their  late  hardships.  All  they  had  was  in  daily  use,  and 
if  they  wanted  to  wash  a  shirt  or  pair  of  socks,  they  were 
obliged  to  go  without  until  they  dried  ;  or,  if  ordered  on 
duty,  put  them  on  wet  and  let  them  dry  on  their  persons, 
They  had,  however,  already  become  accustomed  to  these 
laundry  eccentricities. 

The  enemy  was  now  at  some  distance,  and  the  remnants 
of  the  bands  played  at  times,  and  the  drum  was  heard  for 
the  first  time  since  the  evacuation  of  Yorktown. 

General  McClellan  complimented  Colonel  Warren,  and 
said  that  men  never  fought  better  than  his  regiment  did,  and 
that  they  did  their  share  toward  saving  the  right  wing  of 
the  army  at  Games'  Mill.  General  McClellan' s  address  was 
read  at  parade  on  Sunday  evening.  It  was  eloquent  and  true. 
But  eloquence  and  eulogy  were  swallowed  up  in  the  stern 
realities  of  the  dead  and  dying,  the  wounded  on  the  road, 
the  sick  and  wounded  left  behind  to  be  made  prisoners,  the 
unknown  and  unremembered  graves,  and  the  individual  suffer- 
ing of  every  survivor.  Each  man  had  an  experience  of  his 
own,  and  the  battle  of  a  life-time  is  epitomized  in  a  short  ten 
days  of  such  experience. 


256        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

But  such  is  a  soldier's  life  ;  he  accepts  it  as  a  part  of  the 
inevitable  experience  that  he  must  pass  through  sooner  or 
later;  and  he  can  say  with  R.  H.  Dana,  Jr.,  from  his  expe- 
rience of  two  years  of  sailor  life,  and  his  view  of  it,  will 
apply  in  one  sense  to  that  of  a  soldier's  life  in  the  field,  viz. : 
"  It  is  at  best  but  a  mixture  of  a  little  good  with  much  evil, 
and  a  little  pleasure  with  much  pain.  The  beautiful  is 
linked  with  the  revolting,  the  sublime  with  the  common- 
place, and  the  solemn  with  the  ludicrous." 

The  regiment  dragged  out  the  weary  hours  of  camp  life, 
one-third  on  the  sick-list,  and  the  rest  half  sick,  while  faith 
and  hope  kept  them  up,  and  that  is  about  all  that  could  be 
said,  for  there  was  no  enjoyment  in  the  mode  of  living  at 
that  time.  The  ringing  laugh  was  seldom  heard,  but  men 
slowly  paced  along  with  sad  and  care-worn  faces,  with  noth- 
ing to  do  but  to  kill  time,  answer  roll  calls,  or  occasionally 
do  a  little  fatigue  duty,  each  -man  doing  as  little  as  possible. 
The  weather  was  intolerably  hot  and  water  was  difficult  to 
obtain. 

The  men  all  had  great  confidence  in  General  McClellan, 
and  would  fight  to  the  last  and  die  under  him  if  necessary,  but 
they  knew  that  the  army  needed  strengthening  by  new  re- 
cruits, and  that  Richmond  would  never  be  taken  unless  we 
were  reinforced.  The  Confederates  fought  desperately,  and 
were  on  their  own  ground,  and  had  an  extensive  territory  to 
maneuver  in.  The  union  forces  were  compelled  to  go 
through  a  country  where  every  man,  woman,  and  child  was 
opposed  to  them,  and  as  they  advanced  they  grew  weaker 
and  their  opponents  stronger.  They  were  obliged  to  look 
well  to  their  communications  for  the  army  supplies,  and  this 
necessity  demanded  the  care  of  a  large  fighting  force. 

On  Friday,  July  i2th,  the  whole  army  was  reviewed  by 
President  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  who  made  us  a  brief  visit. 
The  men  were  all  glad  to  see  him,  and  noticed  that  he  was 
a  keen  observer,  and  asked  a  great  many  questions  of  the 


Harrison's  Landing.  257 

officers  in  his  escort.  He  left  a  good  impression  with  the 
rank  and  file,  and  convinced  them  that  the  "  powers  that  be  " 
took  some  interest  in  their  welfare. 

The  regiment  had  a  thorough  inspection  to-day  by  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel H.  Duryea.  The  sick  were  also  inspected. 
We  went  out  at  9  A.M.  and  the  work  lasted  till  noon.  The 
sun  was  very  hot,  but  the  men  considered  only  three  hours' 
standing  nothing  at  all.  The  weather  continued  very  hot. 
The  time  was  occupied  quietly  with  company  drill  in  the 
early  morning,  and  then  continual  details.  Knapsacks  and 
uniforms  in  part,  with  a  change  of  underclothes,  were  dis- 
tributed on  the  2ist,  making  nearly  a  month  since  we  had 
a  change  of  underwear. 

We  had  moved  our  camp  the  day  before  about  one  hun- 
dred yards,  to  a  better  location,  and  were  hard  at  work  all 
day,  grading  and  ditching,  to  keep  the  camp  dry  as  possible 
when  a  rain-storm  set  in.  There  were  two  companies  in 
line  which  were  called  a  division,  and  between  them  and 
the  next  line  of  two  companies  was  a  space,  to  assemble 
for  roll  call  or  other  duty.  We  built  temporary  arbors  over 
each  division  to  screen  the  shelter  tents  from  the  sun,  which 
gave  the  camp  a  pleasant  and  inviting  appearance.  In  fact, 
not  to  be  outdone  by  other  regiments  in  this  respect,  under 
the  superintendence  of  Colonel  Warren,  we  succeeded  in 
making  our  camping-ground,  all  things  considered,  the  most 
inviting  of  any  in  the  army,  with  one  exception. 

On  Saturday,  the  27th,  the  division  passed  in  review  be- 
fore General  McClellan,  and  the  following  day  the  whole 
corps  was  reviewed.  Captain  Cambrelling  resigned  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health.  He  was  much  beloved  by  all,  and  the 
men  felt  that  they  had  lost  a  good  friend. 

He  had  not  an  enemy  in  the  regiment,  and  that  fact  is  a 
high  testimony  to  his  conduct  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman. 
At  this  date  there  was  only  one  of  the  original  Captains, 
with  the  exception  of  our  Lieutenant-Colonel,  who  entered 


258         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

at  the  organization  of  the  regiment — Captain  Winslovv,  and 
only  two  or  three  of  the  original  Lieutenants.  The  health 
of  the  army  improved  somewhat  in  the  new  encampment, 
as  we  were  not  living  in  the  miasmas  of  the  swamps  ;  but 
'there  were  funerals  every  day,  and  the  three  rounds  of 
musketry  told  that  the  last  ceremony  was  performed,  and 
another  soldier  had  been  mustered  out  of  the  service  of  his 
country. 

Lieutenant  Fowler  resigned,  having  been  sick  for  some 
time.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Duryea  was  on  the  sick-list,  not 
having  been  able  to  be  on  duty  for  several  days,  and  Cap- 
tain Winslow  was  in  acting  command  of  the  regiment. 

During  one  of  the  heaviest  thunder-storms  that  we  ever 
witnessed,  one  of  the  regimental  hospital  tents  blew  down  ; 
in  it  were  patients  suffering  with  typhoid  fever  and  other 
complaints,  who  were  too  weak  to  help  themselves,  and 
they  were  obliged  to  lie  still  until  the  tent  could  be  put  up 
again.  There  was  great  mortality  in  the  hospital,  and  the 
tents  under  the  personal  superintendence  of  Colonel  Warren 
were  removed  to  higher  ground  further  to  the  rear  of  the 
camp,  where  the  sick  were  in  good  condition  and  com- 
fortable. 

A  lamentable  mistake  occurred  in  the  roth  Regiment. 
A  bottle  containing  sugar  of  lead  and  whisky,  used  as  a 
prescription  by  a  member  of  the  regiment  to  bathe  his 
limbs,  was  left  exposed.  It  caught  the  eye  of  three  of  the 
men,  who  drank  out  of  it,  and  one  of  them  died  in  conse- 
quence. A  new  spring  was  discovered  on  the  banks  of  the 
creek,  and  a  cracker-box  was  sunk,  as  a  basin,  to  hold  the 
water.  It  was  of  service  only  during  low  tide,  as  it  was 
flooded  when  the  water  rose.  The  loathsome  insects  which 
dropped  down  into  the  spring,  from  the  bank  above  it,  at 
low  water,  were  scooped  away  from  the  surface. 

The  general  health  of  the  men  slowly  improved  with  rest 
and  better  diet.  They  fared  well  for  soldiers,  occasionally 


Harrison  s  Landing.  259 

having  a  stew  made  from  fresh  beef,  potatoes,  and  onions  ; 
sometimes  cabbage,  beets,  and  vinegar.  For  breakfast  and 
supper  we  had  nothing  but  "hard-tack"  and  coffee;  occa- 
sionally rice  or  stewed  dried  apples  were  served  for  supper. 
These  variations  in  our  bill  of  fare  were  very  gratifying  to 
the  "Boys  in  Blue"  as  well  as  to  the  "  Boys  in  Red"  in  our 
regiment. 

The  whole  army  was  aroused  at  midnight  on  the  ist  of 
August,  by  the  thunder  of  very  heavy  cannonading  in  the 
direction  of  the  James  River.  At  first  it  was  supposed  that 
the  Confederate  rams  had  come  down  from  Richmond  and 
attacked  the  gun-boats.  For  about  an  hour  there  was  a 
tremendous  noise.  The  fire  of  the  Union  gun-boats  could 
be  easily  distinguished,  by  their  loud  reports  dying  away  in 
the  distance  with  a  long  roll,  like  thunder.  The  reserve 
artillery  lying  by  the  river  also  opened,  and  the  enemy's  bat- 
teries soon  ceased  their  work.  They  had  posted  forty-one 
guns  under  the  command  of  Colonel  W.  N.  Pendleton,  at 
Coggins'  Point,  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  their  fire 
killed  ten  men  and  wounded  fifteen,  besides  killing  some 
horses.  The  shell  looked  very  grand  going  through  the  air, 
as  the  night  was  extremely  dark  ;  but  the  spectators  would 
have  been  just  as  well  satisfied  if  they  had  not  opened  the 
performance,  as  they  did  not  know  but  that  with  the  morn- 
ing's light  an  attack  would  be  made  in  front. 

At  this  time  two  Corporals  of  Company  I  were  returned 
to  duty  from  the  hospital ;  but  the  officer  in  command  of 
the  company  was  convinced  that  they  were  not  strong 
enough  to  drill.  On  the  second  day  thereafter,  which  was 
the  25th  of  July,  when  their  company  came  in  from  evening 
parade,  they  found  one  of  them  lying  dead  in  his  tent ;  he 
had  breathed  his  last  while  they  were  out  on  parade. 

One  of  the  men  saw  an  apparition  in  the  woods  moving 
along  toward  the  creek,  and  not  being  superstitious,  he 
went  over  to  make  an  investigation,  and  discovered  one  of 


260        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  hospital  patients,  who  was  delirious  with  fever,  making 
his  way  to  the  water  to  drown  himself.  Besides  the  patients 
in  the  camp  hospital,  there  were  two  hundred  and  fifty  ab- 
sent, sick  and  wounded.  This  left  only  a  small  number 
able  to  perform  the  necessary  duties,  but  it  was  noticeable 
that  at  dinner-time  there  was  a  pretty  large  muster. 

"  Sunday,  August  10. — The  weather  is  now  oppressive, 
and  the  steady  heat,  day  after  day,  without  rain  or  clouds,  is 
very  trying  in  its  effects  on  the  troops. 

"  On  Friday  last  several  companies  were  detailed  to  cross 
over  to  the  south  side  of  the  James  River  to  cut  down  trees 
and  work  on  the  batteries.  Men  have  been  sent  over  every 
day  since  the  rebel  bombardment  of  the  shipping.  After  a 
pleasant  sail  across  the  river  on  the  steamer  Long  Branch — 
which  reminded  several  of  the  men  of  a  sail  on  this  same 
steamer  in  former  years  on  a  more  auspicious  occasion — 
they  set  about  their  work,  but  could  not  continue  it  more 
than  three  hours  in  the  pine  woods.  The  temperature  was 
over  one  hundred  degrees,  and  some  of  them  fainted.  We 
arrived  at  camp  about  7  P.M.,  having  suffered  more  from  the 
heat  than  at  any  time  or  place  in  all  our  experience." 

On  Monday,  the  nth,  our  knapsacks  were  sent  away, 
which  was  premonitory  to  us  of  an  early  movement.  This 
took  place  on  Thursday,  August  i4th,  when  we  left  Harri- 
son's Landing  at  9  P.M.,  in  our  accoutrements,  with  a  blanket 
looped,  tied  at  the  ends  and  thrown  over  the  shoulder  ;  we 
did  not  see  our  knapsacks  again  for  ten  weeks.  We  marched 
till  midnight,  and  after  resting  about  two  hours  at  Charles 
City  Court-house,  we  resumed  the  march,  crossing  the  Chick- 
ahominy  at  Barrett's  Ferry,  near  its  mouth,  over  a  pontoon 
bridge  nearly  1,000  feet  in  length.  We  limped  into  a  biv- 
ouac in  the  woods  two  miles  beyond  the  river,  at  the  side 
of  the  road,  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  isth.  This 
was  one  of  the  most  trying  marches  the  regiment  had  at  one 
stretch,  being  about  thirty  miles.  The  men  tried  to  sing  and 


On  the  March  to  Manassas.  261 

be  cheerful,  but  toward  the  latter  part  of  the  march,  the 
fatigue  and  strain  had  a  very  marked  effect  upon  their  tern- 
pers,  as  they  had  not  yet  mounted  their  marching  legs.  On  a 
long  march,  when  the  men  get  tired  out,  they  will  move 
along  for  half  an  hour,  or  longer,  at  times  in  perfect  silence, 
but  let  one  of  a  company  happen  to  stumble  and  only  touch 
the  man  next  to  him,  then  it  seems  as  if  bedlam  is  let  loose. 
He  is  asked  if  he  is  too  laz>y  to  hold  himself  up,  and  if  he 
wants  to  ride  on  somebody's  back  ?  This  brings  a  retort,  and 
in  five  minutes  the  whole  company  are  likely  to  be  engaged 
in  a  "  war  of  words,"  the  formulae  of  which  are  not  usually 
found  in  dictionaries  or  works  on  military  tactics. 

While  bivouacking  here  the  men  were  startled  by  a  shot, 
just  back  of  the  spot  where  they  were  lying,  and  a  cry  of 
"  Oh  !  I'm  shot ! "  but  hearing  nothing  further,  they  went  to 
sleep  again.  The  following  morning,  the  i6th,  we  ascer- 
tained that  Corporal  Frank  Hyatt,  of  Company  G,  was 
called  by  one  of  the  pickets.  He  went  to  him  and  took 
charge  of  a  negro,  who  had  been  stopped  in  an  effort  to  pass 
through  the  lines  in  the  direction  of  Richmond.  He  was 
bringing  him  in  to  the  guard,  when  the  negro  shied  off  into 
the  woods.  He  was  called  back  and  warned  not  to  try  it 
again  ;  but  the  messenger  was  determined  to  accomplish  his 
errand  if  possible,  and  a  second  time  darted  off  on  his  way, 
when  Hyatt  shot  him  dead.  He  had  a  carpet-bag  contairv- 
ing  papers,  which  were  delivered  over  to  Colonel  Warren. 
It  was  supposed  that  he  was  conveying  important  informa- 
tion to  the  enemy. 

Marched  at  6  A.M.,  and  having  reached  a  point  about  two 
miles  beyond  Williamsburg,  we  bivouacked  twelve  miles  dis- 
tant from  our  resting-place  the  night  previous.  While  pass- 
ing through  the  town,  a  young  woman  called  out  that  we  were 
going  the  wrong  way.  One  of  the  men  answered,  he  guessed 
not.  "  Oh,  yes,  you  are  !  "  "Why,  what  makes  you  think 
so  ?  "  "  Because  that  aint  the  way  to  Richmond  ! "  was  the 


262        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

reply.  He  had  to  acknowledge  that  the  young  lady  was 
right. 

Sunday,  August  lyth,  about  6  A.M.  we  renewed  our  march  ; 
passed  through  Yorktown,  and  bivouacked  about  eight  miles 
beyond  at  Smith's  Mills,  having  traveled  twenty  miles.  The 
8th  New  York  militia  garrisoning  the  works  at  Yorktown 
had  dinner  and  coffee  prepared  for  the  regiment,  but  Colonel 
Warren  refused  to  stop ;  probably  on  account  of  orders  to 
reach  a  certain  point.  This  refusal  to  accept  the  hospitality 
of  friends,  after  a  long  march  under  a  burning  sun,  and  over 
dusty  roads,  provoked  the  ire  of  the  men,  and  brought  out 
curses  not  loud,  but  deep.  Monday,  the  i8th,  we  started  at 
5  A.M.,  and  passed  through  Big  Bethel  to  Newport  News  and 
bivouacked,  after  a  march  of  sixteen  miles.  We  spent  two 
days  at  Newport  News,  where  we  saw  the  hulk  of  the  frigate 
Cumberland,  sunk  by  the  Confederate  ram  Merrimac.  We 
enjoyed  the  luxury  of  salt-water  bathing  in  the  James  River, 
and  were  joined  by  about  TOO  recruits.  We  left  Newport 
News  on  Wednesday,  the  2oth,  about  6  P.M.,  on  the  steamer 
Cahawba,  for  Aquia  Creek.  It  rained  all  day  on  the  2ist, 
notwithstanding  which  everybody  was  cheerful.  After  a 
much  crowded  voyage,  there  being  two  regiments,  the  5th 
and  loth  New  York,  packed  on  the  steamer  for  forty- 
two  hours,  we  arrived  on  the  22d  off  Aquia  Creek,  and 
were  finally  landed  by  a  steam-tug  in  detachments.  While 
being  ferried  to  the  dock  by  the  tug,  some  of  the  men  found 
their  way  to  the  storehouse  and  helped  themselves,  and  were 
supplied  with  sugar-cured  ham  enough  to  last  a  week.  At 
Aquia  Creek  we  were  put  in  baggage  and  on  platform  cars, 
like  so  many  cattle,  some  of  the  men  sitting  with  their  legs 
dangling  over  the  sides,  there  being  no  railings,  while  the 
center  of  the  platforms  was  crowded  with  men. 

We  reached  Falmouth  Station  about  u  P.M.  on  the  22d, 
after  a  trip  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  the  regiment  went  into 
bivouac.  While  waiting  here  a  "  Union  "  man  came  around 


On  the  March  to  Manassas.  263 

with  a  wagon  and  a  barrel  of  cider,  which  he  was  selling  to 
the  men  at  five  cento  a  cup.  Some  mischievous  fellows  took 
out  the  pin  that  fastened  the  front  axle  to  the  body  of  the 
wagon,  and  on  his  starting,  the  fore  wheels  moved  out,  and 
down  came  wagon,  cider,  and  man,  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
latter. 

On  the  23d  we  marched  two  miles,  and  halted  near  Fal- 
niouth ;  Sunday,  the  24th,  we  started  at  4  A.M.  to  Deep 
Run,  and  bivouacked  under  arms  after  a  march  of  ten  miles  ; 
the  25th  we  reached  Ellis  Ford  (four  miles),  and  bivouacked 
under  arms  ;  the  26th,  left  at  6  A.M.,  and  after  a  march  of 
about  ten  miles,  we  joined  the  division  about  six  miles  from 
Bealton,  and  bivouacked  under  arms. 

On  Wednesday,  the  27th,  we  moved  at  4.30  A.M.,  and 
marched  to  Catlett's  Station,  twelve  miles,  and  bivouacked 
under  arms.  We  resumed  our  march  at  4A.M.  on  Thurs- 
day, the  28th,  eleven  miles  to  Bristoe  Station,  and  bivouacked 
under  arms.  As  we  approached  this  place,  we  saw  numerous 
ambulances,  and  wounded  men  were  lying  near  a  house  un- 
der the  care  of  surgeons.  Details  were  burying  the  dead 
slain  in  an  encounter  between  Hooker's  division  and 
E well's  forces  that  had  taken  place  the  day  previous.  Some 
Confederates  were  lying  dead  alongside  of  the  railroad 
track  in  their  gore  ;  also  a  number  of  their  wounded  were 
lying  about  in  the  sun,  and  Colonel  Warren  ordered  some  of 
the  men  to  place  boughs  over  them  to  shield  them  from  its 
burning  rays.  Two  locomotives,  their  trains,  and  the  bridges 
had  been  destroyed  by  the  enemy.  We  fell  in  line  and 
marched  at  7  A.M.  on  Friday,  the  29th,  and  after  moving  as 
expeditiously  as  possible,  halted  at  Manassas  Junction.  The 
destruction  of  property  at  this  point  was  enormous ;  large 
numbers  of  locomotives  were  ruined,  and  long  trains  of  cars 
were  burnt,  and  damaged  stores  for  the  army  were  lying 
about  in  promiscuous  heaps.  After  marching  and  counter- 
marching all  the  afternoon  up  and  down  a  narrow  road,  lead- 


264        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

ing  through  woods,  looking  for  a  fight — the  men  in  a  bad 
humor  at  what  to  them  looked  like  useless  exercise — the  regi- 
ment drew  up  in  line  of  battle  in  the  afternoon  on  an  ele- 
vate<3  position,  from  which  the  country  could  be  seen  at 
intervals  for  a  long  distance.  In  front  of  us  the  ground 
sloped  off  into  a  little  valley,  and  was  cleared  of  timber. 
The  opposite  heights  were  covered  with  dense  woods.  Gen- 
eral Porter  was  observed  at  one  time  pacing  backward  and 
forward  over  a  little  clearing  a  few  yards  from  the  road.  A 
battery  stationed  within  a  few  yards  of  us  fired  about  a  dozen 
shell  into  the  distant  timber,  but  there  was  no  response ; 
although  from  the  reports  of  stray  skirmishers  the  woods  were 
supposed  to  mask  an  enemy ;  if  so,  it  would  have  been  very 
poor  judgment  for  them  to  expose  their  position,  as  any 
force  marching  to  or  through  the  woods  could  have  been 
taken  at  a  great  disadvantage.  We  heard  heavy  firing  late  in 
the  afternoon,  apparently  a  few  miles  to  our  right,  and  it  was 
the  general  impression  among  the  rank  and  file  at  the  time  that 
an  engagement  was  going  on ;  but  as  to  the  firing  heard,  it 
was  nothing  unusual,  as  we  had  been  accustomed  to  hearing 
it  in  various  directions  for  several  days,  and  the  common  talk 
had  been  that  Jackson  was  in  a  bag,  and  all  that  remained  to 
to  be  done  was  to  pull  the  string  and  secure  him.  Finally,  after 
having  traveled  over  about  twelve  miles  of  ground  since  morn- 
ing, we  laid  down  at  night  on  the  side  of  the  road  and  slept 
under  arms.  There  was  no  movement  of  the  regiment  during 
the  afternoon  that  could  be  misconstrued  as  a  retreat. 

The  following  will  show  the  position  of  the  forces  under 
General  Longstreet  at  this  time,  as  described  by  his  own 
pen : 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  July  30,  1870. 

GENERAL  F.  J.  LIPPITT,  Boston,  Mass. : 

The  head  of  my  column  reached  the  field  of  the  second  Ma- 
nassas  about  1 1  o'clock  A.M.  on  the  29th  of  August.  The  forces 
wrre  advanced  and  deployed  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  I  think 


On  the  March  to  Manassas.  265 

that  I  was  fully  prepared  for  battle  by  I  o'clock  P.M There 

were   twelve  brigades,  Anderson's   division   of  three   brigades 
coming  up  after  dark  on  the  29th.* 


Extract  from  a  letter  to  the  Philadelphia  Weekly  Times  of 
Feb.  23,  1878,  written  by  General  Longstreet : 

"  .  .  .  .  When  the  head  of  my  column  reached  that  field  it  was 
about  12  o'clock  on  the  29th.  As  we  approached  the  field  we 
heard  sounds  of  a  heavy  battle,  which  proved  to  be  General  Jack- 
son very  severely  engaged  with  the  enemy.  As  my  column  de- 
ployed on  the  field,  the  enemy  at  once  withdrew  in  good  order, 
however,  and  took  up  a  strong  position  a  little  in  the  rear  of  where 
the  heaviest  fighting  had  been  going  on.  During  the  lull  that 
succeeded,  General  Lee  rode  up  to  where  I  was  and  told  me  that 
he  had  determined  to  attack  the  position  taken  by  the  enemy,  and 
indicated  his  purpose  to  have  me  open  the  fight.  My  men  were 
then  arranged  for  battle,  but  I  asked  General  Lee  to  withhold  the 
order  for  attack  until  I  had  made  a  careful  reconnoissance  and  de- 
termined exactly  how  the  troops  had  best  be  handled.  He  con- 
sented, of  course,  to  this,  and  I  went  forward  to  make  the  recon- 
noissance. After  a  careful  examination  of  the  ground  I  rode  back 
'to  General  Lee,  and  reported  that  the  position  was  very  strong 
and  the  prospects  hardly  such  as  to  warrant  the  heavy  sacrifice 
of  life  that  a  serious  attack  would  involve.  General  Lee  was  not 
satisfied,  however,  but  seemed  disposed  to  insist  upon  an  attack. 
He  began  to  suggest  moves  by  which  an  advantageous  assault 
might  be  made.  Before  the  question  was  at  all  decided  a  dis- 
patch was  received  from  General  Stuart,  giving  us  notice  that  a 
very  strong  column  was  moving  up  against  my  right.  General 
Lee  ordered  me  at  once  to  reinforce  that  part  of  my  line  and  be 
ready  to  repel  the  attack.  I  ordered  the  reinforcing  column  to 
the  march,  and  rode  out  rapidly  in  advance  that  I  might  see  pre- 
cisely what  was  needed.  The  threatening  column  proved  to  be 
General  Fitz  John  Porter's  command.  After  seeing  it  I  reported 


*  Atlantic  Monthly  for  September,  1878.    Pope's  "Virginia  Campaign,"  and 
Porter's  part  in  it,  by  Francis  J.  Lippitt.     Letter  from  General  Longstreet. 
12 


266         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

back  to  General  Lee  that  it  was  too  light  a  column,  in  my  opinion, 
to  mean  a  real  attack.  This  presumption  was  correct,  and  the 
advance  soon  halted,  and  then  withdrew.  General  Lee  then  re- 
called the  question  of  an  immediate  attack  upon  the  main  posi- 
tion of  the  Federals.  I  was  thoroughly  convinced  that  the  position 
was  too  strong  to  be  taken  without  very  severe  loss,  and  I  sug- 
gested to  General  Lee  that  the  attack  be  postponed,  and  that 
we  make  a  forced  reconnoissance  just  at  nightfall,  and  that  we 
could  then  prepare  to  attack  at  daylight,  if  it  seemed  advisable, 
after  thorough  investigation,  to  make  the  attack  at  all.  He  con- 
sented very  readily  to  this,  and  I  left  him  to  prepare  for  the  forced 
reconnoissance.  The  reconnoissance  was  successfully  made  at 
nightfall.  During  the  night  several  of  my  Brigadiers  came  in, 
and  they  all  agreed  in  reporting  the  position  very  strong.  At  about 
midnight  Generals  Hood  and  Evans,  and  possibly  one  or  two 
others,  came  to  my  headquarters  and  made  similar  reports,  ex- 
pressing apprehensions  as  to  the  result  of  the  attack.  Everything 
developed  by  this  closer  reconnoissance  went  to  confirm  the  im- 
pression made  upon  me  by  my  reconnoissance  during  the  day.  I 
therefore  determined  not  to  make  the  attack,  and  ordered  my 
troops  back  to  the  original  line  of  battle." 

On  the  other  hand,  in  referring  to  General  Porter's  con- 
duct on  the  29th,  General  Pope  says,  in  his  official  report, 
dated  at  New  York,  January  27,  1863  : 

"  ....  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  if  he  had  discharged  his 
duty  as  became  a  soldier  under  the  circumstances,  and  had  made 
a  vigorous  attack  on  the  enemy,  as  he  was  expected  and  directed 
to  do,  at  any  time  up  to  8  o'clock  that  night,  we  should  have  ut- 
terly crushed  or  captured  the  larger  portion  of  Jackson's  force  be- 
fore he  could  have  been,  by  any  possibility,  sufficiently  reinforced 
to  have  made  any  effective  resistance. 

" ....  I  believe — in  fact,  I  am  positive — that  at  5  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  General  Porter  had  in  his  front  no  con- 
siderable body  of  the  enemy, 

"  I  believed  then,  as  I  am  very  sure  now,  that  it  was  easily 
practicable  for  him  to  have  turned  the  right  flank  of  Jackson,  and 


On  the  March  to  Manassas.  267 

to  have  fallen  upon  his  rear  ;  that  if  he  had  done  so,  we  should 
have  gained  a  decisive  victory  over  the  army  under  Jackson 
before  he  could  have  been  joined  by  any  of  the  forces  of  Long- 
street.  .  .  ." 


It  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  General  Pope  was  unaware 
that  Longstreet  had  arrived  on  the  field,  and  expected  Gen- 
eral Porter  to  advance  and  attack  Jackson,  who  was  opposed 
to  himself,  on  his  right  and  rear.  Jackson's  right  was  within 
a  few  miles  of  Porter  at  this  time,  and  it  is  alleged  that  the 
latter  did  not  receive  General  Pope's  order  to  make  the  at- 
tack until  it  was  too  late  in  the  day  to  obey  it.  Also  we 
have  seen  by  the  testimony  of  General  Longstreet  himself, 
that  if  Porter  had  advanced,  he  would  have  encountered  his 
overwhelming  forces,  which  had  made  a  junction  with  Jack- 
son's right,  and  as  he  (Longstreet)  testifies  before  the  board 
of  officers  appointed  for  the  rehearing  of  the  court-martial 
proceedings  against  General  Porter  :  "  In  view  of  the  impen- 
etrable woods,  it  would  have  been  very  hazardous  for 
General  Porter  to  take  his  command  around  the  road  to 
Groveton,  and  if  he  had  attempted  it  his  force  would  have 
been  broken  up.  General  Porter's  position  checked  the 
forces  of  the  witness  till  it  was  too  late ;  if  General  Porter 
had  attacked  that  day  any  time  after  12  o'clock,  the  forces 
of  witness  would  have  annihilated  him,  for  the  Federal  lines 
were  then  too  much  extended  and  disjointed." 

General  Porter's  infantry  force  this  day  and  the  following 
one  consisted  of  but  twenty-four  skeleton  regiments,  Griffin's 
brigade  not  being  present.  These  regiments,  although  nom- 
inally composing  five  brigades,  only  made  in  reality,  as  com- 
pared to  the  enemy's  similar  organizations,  four  and  one- 
half;  as  Warren's  brigade  of  two  regiments  was  smaller  by 
one-half  than  any  brigade  in  the  Confederate  army.  On  the 
other  hand,  General  Longstreet's  infantry  force  that  he  men- 
tions as  being  present  on  the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  was 


<. 
268         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

twelve  brigades,  to  which  were  added,  by  the  arrival  of  An- 
derson's division  during  the  night,  three  more,  making  in  all 
an  infantry  force  of  sixty-five  regiments.  Jackson  had  under 
him  at  this  time  only  about  fifty  regiments,  while,  on  the 
other  hand,  General  Pope  had  in  hand,  exclusive  of  Porter, 
about  one  hundred. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

SECOND   BATTLE   OF   BULL   RUN. 

THE  FIELD— DISTRIBUTION  OF  FORCES— THE  HENRY  HOUSE— POSITION  OF  THE 
FIFTH  —  GENERALS  JACKSON  AND  LONGSTREET  —  THE  FIFTH  ENGAGED  — 
FEARFUL  SLAUGHTER— ALLISON,  THE  COLOR-BEARER,  KILLED— ANNIHILATION 
OF  OUR  COLOR  COMPANY — BALD  RIDGE— THE  TEXANS — "DON'T  LET  THEM 
TAKE  MY  FLAG  ! " — OVERPOWERING  NUMBERS—"  LET  THERE  BE  NO  FALTER- 
ING IN  THIS  LINE  '  " — A  ZOUAVE  TARGETED — A  ROUT — A  TERRIBLE  SCENE 
— THE  REMNANT  OF  OUR  REGIMENT  AFTER  THE  BATTLE — COLONEL  WAR- 
REN'S REPORT— GENERAL  POPE'S  REPORT — PERSONAL  SKETCHES  AND  INCI- 
DENTS —  SPHLLMAN  —  CHAMBERS  —  MCDOWELL — WILSON — H  ACER  —  SAPHER — 
HUMANITY— STONEWALL  JACKSON — JAMES  CATHEY — A  STRANGE  COINCIDENCE 
—A  RIFLE  SHOT— JAMES  PATTERSON— POLLARD'S  TESTIMONY— BULLWINKLE 
— STURGESS — TYNDALL — STRACHAN — HUNTSMAN — A  WALK  AMONG  THE  GRAVES 
—  FAULK'S  LETTER  —  CONFEDERATE  TESTIMONY  —  MARCH  TO  FAIRFAX — 
MCDOWELL'S  BROTHER — GENERAL  MCCLELLAN'S  RETURN  TO  THE  COMMAND 
—NEAR  FREDERICK  CITY. 

ON  the  morning  of  Saturday,  August  3oth,  the  men  of  the 
Fifth  arose  from  their  bivouac  and  took  up  their  line  of 
march  to  the  rear  and  right,  via.  the  Gainesville  and  Sudley 
Springs  roads,  to  the  scene  of  the  previous  day's  engagement 
of  General  Pope's  forces,  which  took  place  near  Manassas 
Plains,  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  battle  of  Groveton. 
As  the  regiment  marched  toward  the  front,  they  passed  by  a 
large  number  of  troops  who  had  bivouacked  in  the  fields  each 
side  of  the  roads  (among  whom  was  recognized  King's 
division),  many  of  whom  cheered  our  regiment  as  they 
marched  by  them  ;  and  they  noticed  that  the  cannon  were 
begrimed  with  powder,  as  if  they  had  been  recently  in  use, 
while  the  soldiers  wore  that  general  look  of  weariness  and 
lassitude  which  is  the  habitual  and  natural  reaction  from  the 
excitement  of  battle.  As  they  neared  the  front,  they  met 
many  details  of  men  carrying  off  the  wounded  and  dead  of 
the  previous  day's  fight.  Among  them  were  recognized  the 

(269) 


270        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

uniform  of  the  Brooklyn  i/j-th,  some  of  whom  were  lying  on 
a  hill  in  sight  at  the  front.  Our  brigade  (the  5th  and  loth 
New  York)  took  a  position  well  to  the  front,  on  the  borders 
of  a  hill  running  up  in  front  of  them.  TheWarrenton  turn- 
pike, at  the  point  where  the  engagement  took  place,  known 
as  the  Second  Bull  Run,  or  Manassas  Plains,  intersected  the 
Union  lines  at  their  center,  and  ran  in  a  westerly  direction. 
It  was  the  great  highway,  in  this  immediate  vicinity,  by  which 
the  army  must  advance,  or,  if  defeated,  retreat,  as  it  led  in 
their  rear  over  Bull  Run  Creek  across  a  stone  bridge,  the 
river  being  difficult  to  ford,  and  the  banks  on  each  side  quite 
steep.  "As  the  road  approaches  the  battle-field,  going  west, 
it  goes  up  the  valley  of  a  little  rivulet  of  Young's  Branch, 
and  through  the  battle-field  is  mostly  close  to,  the  stream. 
The  ground  rises  from  the  stream  on  both  sides ;  in  some 
places,  quite  into  hills.  The  Sudley  Springs  road,  in  cross- 
ing the  spring  at  right  angles,  passes  directly  over  one  of 
these  hills,  just  south  of  the  Warrenton  pike,  and  this  hill 
has  on  it  a  detached  road,  with  fields  stretching  back  away 
from  it  some  hundreds  of  yards  to  the  forest.  This  is  the 
hill  on  which  the  Henry  House  stood,"  which  was  the  key 
to  the  Union  position,  particularly  in  case  of  a  retreat. 
If  the  enemy  could  gain  possession  of  it,  the  result  would 
be  disastrous  to  the  Union  forces,  as  it  would  drive  them 
from  access  to  the  turnpike.  To  the  west  of  this  hill  was  the 
Bald  Hill,  so  called  ;  between  the  two  hills  was  a  small 
stream,  a  tributary  of  Young's  Branch. 

The  Confederate  line  of  battle  was  in  the  shape  of  an 
'.'  obtuse  crescent,"  at  least  five  miles  long,  the  apex  of  the 
crescent  convexity  toward  the  west.  Jackson  was  on  the 
Confederate  left,  his  extreme  right  about  one-fourth  of  A 
mile  from  the  Warrenton  turnpike ;  Longstreet's  command, 
fifteen  brigades,  extended  from  a  point  north  of  the  turnpike 
near  Jackson's  right,  far  to  the  right  beyond  the  line  of  Ma- 
nassas Gap  Railroad.  In  the  interval,  to  the  rear,  between 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run  271 

Jackson's  right  and  Longstreet's  left,  the  Confederate  artil- 
lery was  placed,  eight  batteries,  on  commanding  elevations 
behind  a  ridge ;  front  of  it  was  open  ground  between  two 
forests,  which  stretched  on  each  side  of  the  Warrenton  turn- 
pike, the  space  between  opening  like  the  letter  V,  and  about 
half  a  mile  between  them.  At  the  apex  facing  the  open 
ground  the  Confederate  artillery  was  placed. 

General  Pope's  army,  comprising,  besides  batteries,  at 
least  one  hundred  and  forty  skeleton  regiments  of  infantry, 
was  in  the  following  position  : 

General  Heintzelman  (3d  corps)  was  on  the  extreme  right 
of  the  Union  forces;  General  McDowell  (ist  corps)  on  the 
extreme  left ;  Fitz  John  Porter,  Sigel's  corps,  and  a  division 
of  Burnsicje's  corps  (Reno's)  were  placed  in  the  center  north 
of  the  pike.  Porter's  corps,  composed  of  less  than  two  di- 
visions, MorelFs  (Griffin's  brigade  not, being  present)  was 
on  the  left  center,  pushed  forward  in  the  concave  crescent, 
facing  west,  and  on  the  north  side  of  the  pike,  with  two 
brigades  (Sykes'  regulars),  their  left  resting  on  the  Warren- 
ton  pike ;  MorelFs  two  brigades,  Butterfield's  and  Martin- 
dale's,  were  on  the  right  of  the  regulars  ;  Warren's  brigade 
was  held  in  reserve,  with  the  batteries  of  Weed,  Smead,  and 
Randoll.  Reynolds'  division  of  Pennsylvania  reserves  was 
on  the  left,  or  south  of  the  pike. 

As  Warren's  brigade  remained  in  this  position,  batteries 
posted  on  the  left  and  the  right  of  them  were  throwing  their 
shot  and  shell  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy.  They  returned 
the  fire,  and  their  shot  and  shell  came  'whizzing  about  us, 
sometimes  compelling  the  men  to  lie  down.  While  this  was 
transpiring  they  made  their  little  fires  and  boiled  coffee  in 
their  tin  cups,  which  was  their  principal  nourishment  during 
their  long  and  tedious  marches.  After  lying  in  this  position 
some  time,  they  were  advanced  to  the  top  of  the  hill  in  front, 
supporting  a  battery  which  still  kept  up  a  rapid  fire  on  the 


272         Fifth  Neiu   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

enemy.  The  regulars  were  now  further  to  the  right,  sup- 
porting batteries. 

General  Porter  having  received  orders  from  General  Pope 
to  attack  Jackson,  on  the  supposition  that  he  was  retreating 
from  his  position,  ordered  General  Butterfield  to  attack.  While 
he  was  making  his  preparations  to  do  so,  General  Reynolds, 
who  held  the  left  of  the  line,  withdrew,  by  orders,  two  of  his 
brigades  (Meade's  and  Seymour's)  to  a  position  in  the  rear, 
nearer  the  pike.  It  was  at  this  juncture  that  Warren,  seeing 
the  wide  gap  on  the  left  flank  of  Porter,  leaving  the  ap- 
proaches to  the  turnpike  open  and  exposed,  advanced  his 
little  brigade,  about  one  thousand  strong,  to  occupy  the  po- 
sition, and  also  to  protect  Hazlitt's  battery,  which  had  been 
ordered  to  the  left  and  was  without  support.  The  brigade, 
accordingly,  was  marched  to  a  hill  on  the  left,  and  in  ad- 
vance of  the  former  position.* 

While  marching  up  the  slope  of  this  hill  they  met  a  stray 
skirmisher,  belonging  to  Reynolds'  division,  who  was  una- 
ware that  his  division  had  moved ;  he  came  from  the  wood 
in  front,  and  as  he  passed  on  to  the  rear,  he  reported  that 
the  enemy  were  advancing  in  force.  A  battery  was  posted 


*  General  Sykes'  Report,  "  Pope's  Campaign  "  (No.  35,  p.  146)  :  "  The  Pennsyl- 
vania reserves,  under  General  Reynolds,  had  been  posted  on  my  left,  south  of  the 
Warrenton  pike.  Just  previous  to  the  attack  these  troops  were  withdrawn,  leaving 
my  left  flank  entirely  uncovered,  and  the  Warrenton  road  open.  Colonel  Warren, 
5th  New  York  Volunteers,  commanding  my  3d  brigade,  seeing  the  paramount  ne- 
cessity of  holding  this  point,  threw  himself  there  with  his  brigade,  the  remnants  of 
two  regiments,  and  endeavored  to  fill  the  gap  created  by  the  removal  of  Reynolds." 

Swinton  (p.  190):  "General  Reynolds'  division  was  detached  from  the  left  of 
Porter  by  McDowell,  and,  with  a  portion  of  Rickctt's  division  .placed  sc  as  to  check 
a  flank  maneuver  that  menaced  to  seize  the  Warrenton  turnpike,  which  was  the 
line  of  retreat  of  the  whole  army.  Some  other  troops  should  have  been  taken 
rather  than  remove  Reynolds  from  that  position.  But  the  detachment  of  Reynolds 
from  Porter's  left  for  that  purpose,  had  an  unfortunate  result ;  for  it  exposed  the 
key-point  of  Porter's  line. 

"Colonel  G.  K.  Warren,  who  then  commanded  one  of  Porter's  brigades,  seeing 
the  imminence  of  the  danger,  at  once,  and  without  waiting  for  orders,  moved  for- 
ward with  his  small,  but  brave  brigade  of  about  one  thousand  men,  and  occupied 
the  important  position  abandoned  by  Reynolds,"  etc. 


Se  ond  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  273 

on  the  right  of  the  brigade,  and  a  little  to  the  rear,  and  con- 
tinued its  fire  over  the  open  space,  between  the  woods  be- 
fore mentioned,  on  the  enemy's  batteries  beyond. 

This  new  move  of  Warren's  placed  the  brigade  on  the 
south  side  of  the  turnpike,  which  was  on  his  right,  and  some 
distance  from  it,  to  the  extreme  left  of  our  assaulting  col- 
umns. On  a  hill  to  the  rear,  commonly  called  Bald  Hill 
or  Ridge,  about  twelve  hundred  feet  away,  was  Colonel 
McLean,  commanding  a  brigade,  consisting  of  four  regi- 
ments and  a  battery  of  four  guns,  and  in  his  vicinity  was 
Colonel  Anderson,  in  command  of  Jackson's  brigade,  Rey- 
nolds' division,  composed  of  four  regiments  and  a  battery. 

The  5th  Regiment  was  drawn  up  facing  a  wood  which 
ran  down  near  their  position  to  a  distance  of  from  thirty  to 
ten  feet,  and  again  to  the  rear  on  the  left  ran  along  at  nearly 
right  angles.  Company  I,  on  the  left,  were  mostly  in  the 
wood  ;  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  regiment  was  the  boundary 
of  the  timber  land,  and  then  came  the  open  space  stretching 
back  some  distance,  and  also  across  to  the  wood  on  the 
north  side  of  the  pike. 

Directly  to  the  rear  was  an  open  field,  which  sloped  down 
to  a  brook,  the  banks  of  which  were  quite  steep.  The 
water  varied  in  depth  from  one  to  six  or  eight  feet,  and 
was  skirted  by  some  light  timber  on  the  other  side  of  the 
stream  ;  then  came  Bald  Hill  or  Ridge,  on  the  slopes  of 
which  was  scattered  a  scant  growth  of  bushes. 

Six  companies  of  the  loth  New  York  were  posted  in  the 
woods,  in  front  of  the  left  wing  of  the  regiment.  The  re- 
maining four  companies  were  sent  out  as  skirmishers. 
About  this  time  Butterfield,  on  the  north  side  of  the  pike, 
having  made  his  arrangements,  moved  toward  the  enemy 
with  his  own  and  Martindale's  brigade,  of  Morell's  division, 
and  attacked  them  with  great  spirit,  supported  by  Sykes' 
regulars  ;  but  instead  of  being  on  the  retreat,  the  enemy 
were  strongly  posted  in  an  old  railroad  cut,  which  shielded 


274        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

them  to  a  great  extent  from  his  fire  ;  and  although  he  main- 
tained himself  with  great  gallantry  for  some  time,  aided  by 
the  regulars,  and  made  three  assaults,  he  was  finally  obliged 
to  retire,  suffering  a  loss  of  one-third  of  his  command.  At 
the  most  critical  moment  of  this  attack,  the  Confederates 
on  the  left,  under  Longstreet,  who  had  been  masked,  biding 
their  time,  opened  a  heavy  fire  of  shot  and  shell  from  a  bat- 
tery posted  on  a  commanding  eminence,  which  enfiladed  his 
line,  and  which  decided  the  contest,  so  far  as  his  attack  was 
concerned.* 

As  we  have  seen,  nearly  all  of  Longstreet's  command, 
lying  in  concealment,  was  south  of  the  pike,  facing  the  left 
wing  and  flank  of  the  Union  troops  ;  and,  according  to  Con- 
federate reports,  the  general  disposition  of  their  troops  was 
as  follows :  Law's  brigade,  of  Hood's  command,  four  regi- 
ments, was  on  the  north  side  of  the  pike,  his  right  resting 
on  the  pike.  During  the  subsequent  charge  it  crossed  over 
to  the  south  of  the  pike  and  joined  Hood's  Own  brigade. 
Hood's  Own,  composed  of  the  ist,  4th,  and  5th  Texas,  i8th 
Georgia,  and  the  Hampton  I/egion,  was  lying  south  of  the 
pike,  its  left  a  short  distance  from  it ;  and  Evans'  brigade, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  P.  F.  Stevens,  was  a  little  in 
the  rear,  with  the  left  resting  on  the  pike  and  in  support  of 
Hood.  These  three  brigades  were  closely  supported  by 
Anderson's  division  of  three  brigades.  On  the  right  of 
Hood  were  the  divisions  of  Kemper  and  Jones,  three  brig- 
ades each.  The  remaining  three  brigades  were  advantage- 
ously placed,  and  also  took  part  in  the  action. 

At  the  decisive  moment  of  the  repulse  of  the  attack  by 
Porter's  troops  on  Jackson's  right  and  center,  Longstreet's 
phalanx  commenced  its  terrible  charge,  under  cover  of  a 


*  Pollard's  History  (p.  460)  :  "  The  infantry  attacked  Jackson,  whose  men  were 
concealed  behind  an  excavation  on  the  railroad,  two  crack  corps  of  the  Federal 
army,  Sykes'  and  Morell's,  but  it  was  not  in  human  nature  to  stand  unflinchingly 
before  that  hurricane  of  fire." 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  275 

heavy  fire  from  all  his  batteries  posted  on  the  commanding 
ridges  on  his  right  and  rear,  and  which  played  over  the  heads 
of  the  charging  columns.  This  charge  was  only  checked  at 
night,  after  nearly  all  our  whole  army,  and  many  batteries, 
had  been  engaged.  The  first  to  meet  it  was  Warren's  little 
brigade,  which  happened,  by  the  exigencies  of  war,  to  be  oc- 
cupying the  position  of  a  forlorn  hope*  being  pitted  against 
overwhelming  numbers,  and  obliged  to  hold  on  to  the  last  to 
enable  the  rest  of  Porter's  corps  to  withdraw  from  Jackson's 
front. 

The  enemy  had  kept  so  quiet  on  the  left,  that  it  struck  the 
men  that  either  some  mischief  was  brewing,  or  that  they  were 
retreating.  A  few  rifle-balls  had  struck  the  ground  a  little 
while  previous,  pretty  well  spent.  It  looked  mysterious,  as 
not  a  Confederate  was  to  be  seen.  It  was  not  long  before 
some  shots  were  heard  close  in  front,  fired  rapidly.  A  body 
of  the  Tenth  came  in  all  in  a  huddle,  excited  and  somewhat 
demoralized,  breaking  through  the  lines  of  the  Fifth,  on  their 
left,  and  cried  out  that  the  enemy  had  come  out  of  the 
ground,  as  it  were,  and  were  coming  on  in  heavy  force,  and 
were  right  on  top  of  them  and  on  the  flank.  An  order  was 
given  by  Colonel  Warren  to  change  position,  but  the  thoughts 
of  the  men  were  so  intensely  engrossed  on  the  movements 
of  the  enemy,  that  their  principal  anxiety  was  for  the  Tenth 
to  get  out  of  their  way  as  soon  as  possible,  so  that  they  could 
make  their  fire  tell,  and  get  to  close  quarters  ;  they  pretended 
not  to  hear  any  orders,  or  did  not  wish  to  comprehend  them. 

The  balls  began  to  fly  like  hail  from  the  woods,  and  the 
Texans  were  yelling  like  fiends ;  their  fire  directly  increasing 
into  one  unceasing  rattle,  the  air  was  full  of  deadly  missiles ; 


*  Pollard  (p.  460) :  "  In  the  meantime,  Jackson's  left  had  advanced  more  rapidly 
than  the  right,  and  were  pressing  the  Federals  back  toward  the  turnpike.  It  was 
now  the  opportunity  for  Longstreet  to  attack  the  exposed  left  flank  of  the  enemy  in 
front  of  it." 

Lee's  Report :  "  Hood's  two  brigades,  followed  by  Evans,  led  the  attack." 


276        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

it  was  a  continual  hiss  and  slack,  the  last  sound  telling  that 
the  bullet  had  gone  into  some  man's  body.  On  account  of 
the  companies  of  the  Tenth  who  were  in  front  of  'the  left 
wing,  and  who  had  not  all  got  away  from  their  front,  the 
Fifth  returned  the  fire  with  difficulty,  and  that  only  by 
obliquing  their  aim,  but  Company  I,  on  the  extreme  left,  with 
their  Sharp's  rifles,  and  G  Company,  were  doing  well,  and 
could  not  fail  to  bring  their  man  every  time,  they  were  so 
close. 

The  Tenth  having  thus  been  surprised  by  overwhelming 
numbers,  without  any  warning,  were  forced  to  fall  back  to 
save  themselves  from  annihilation  or  capture.  The  majority 
of  them  passed  through  the  right  and  center  of  the  Fifth  > 
but  before  they  could  extricate  themselves  from  their  perilous 
position  they  suffered  a  loss  in  a  few  short  minutes,  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  of  one  hundred  and  fifteen.  Owing 
to  the  very  heavy  fire,  and  being  somewhat  scattered  in 
breaking  out  of  the  woods,  it  was  impossible  for  them  to 
rally  and  re-form  on  that  part  of  the  field.  But  no  blame 
should  be  attached  to  them  for  retiring,  as  no  regiment  in 
the  service  would  have  hesitated  to  do  the  same,  under  sim- 
ilar circumstances  ;  moreover,  they  would  have  received  the 
fire  of  the  Fifth  if  they  had  not  fallen  back. 

But  notwithstanding  the  desperate  situation,  which  was 
enough  to  demoralize  almost  any  regiment,  particularly  un- 
der the  heavy  fire  they  were  receiving,  and  their  own  men 
falling  like  autumn  leaves,  not  an  able  man  in  the  Fifth  left 
the  ranks,  and  the  regiment  stood  as  firm  as  a  stone  wall. 
In  fact,  they  had  so  much  pride  in  their  organization,  and 
were  so  well  disciplined,  that  they  did  not  require  any  offi- 
cers to  urge  them  on. 

About  this  time  Sergeant  Andrew  B.  Allison,  formerly  a 
soldier  of  the  British  army,  who  carried  the  United  States 
flag,  received  a  ball  through  his  wrist,  and  gave  the  flag  to 
one  of  the  color  Corporals,  but  immediately  took  it  again, 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  277 

and  fell  shot  through  the  heart,  the  colors  falling  with  him.* 
They  were  immediately  raised  again,  and  how  many  took  them 
during  the  seven  minutes  that  the  regiment  stood  alone,  to  be 
slaughtered,  and  before  they  were  brought  off  the  field,  will 
never  be  known.  Lucien  B.  Swain,  of  Company  K,  was  the 
brave  hero  who  brought  them  off,  holding  them  on  high,  but 
was  wounded  in  the  attempt,  and  went  to  the  hospital,  where 
he  remained  until  mustered  out.  The  flag  came  to  the  regi- 
ment the  next  day.  Around  the  colors  nearly  all  were  cut 
down  ;  it  looked  like  a  slaughter  pen.  Four  of  the  color 
guard  besides  Allison  were  lying  dead  ;  two  others  of  the 
eight  were  wounded,  and  the  color  Company  K  was  almost 
wiped  out ;  the  men  kept  closing  up  toward  them,  trying  to 
fill  up  the  gaps,  but  it  was  in  vain  ;  they  were  swept  down  as 
if  mown  by  a  scythe.  Sergeant  Francis  Spellman,  of  Com- 
pany G,  who  carried  the  regimental  flag,  was  bleeding  at 
every  pore,  yet  regardless  of  pain  or  his  own  life,  still  clung 
to  his  flag. 

All  along  the  line  the  fire  was  murderous  ;  the  enemy  were 
on  the  front  and  flanks,  and  were  pouring  in  a  terrible  cross 
fire  on  the  men,  and  were  endeavoring  to  surround  and  take 
prisoners  the  remnant  of  the  regiment.  Captain  Winslow,  in 
command  of  the  regiment,  who  was  acting  nobly,  fell  with 
his  horse,  which  had  received  seven  wounds,  but  fortunately 
the  brave  Winslow  was  spared.  Captain  Lewis,  of  Company 
D,  acting  as  field  officer,  who  a  few  moments  before  had 
been  begged  by  his  men  to  dismount,  fell  from  his  horse, 
dead,  while  one  foot  was  still  in  the  stirrup,  and  his  body  was 
being  dragged  over  the  field.  Lieutenant  Wright,  of  the  same 
company,  its  only  remaining  officer,  had  received  his  mortal 
wound.  Adjutant  Fred  Sovereign  and  Captain  Hager,  of 
Company  F,  and  its  only  remaining  officer,  were  both  dead. 


*  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  a  likeness  of  Sergeant  Allison  could  not  have  been 
preserved  in  this  work,  as  he  was  equally  deserving  as  Spellman.  But  all  efforts 
to  obtain  his  photograph  were  futile. 


278         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Lieutenant  Martin,  of  Company  G,  and  its  only  officer,  was 
wounded  in  the  leg,  but  scorned  to  leave  his  command. 
Lieutenant  Raymond,  of  Company  H,  wounded,  and  with 
Captain  McConnell,  the  remaining  officer,  soon  to  become 
prisoners.  Captain  Boyd,  of  Company  A,  wounded,  and 
soon  to  become  a  prisoner.  Lieutenant  Keyser,  the  re- 
maining officer  of  the  company,  wounded  and  left  the  field. 
Captain  Montgomery,  of  Company  I,  also  soon  to  become 
a  prisoner,  and  Lieutenant  Hoffman,  the  remaining  officer 
of  the  company,  suffering  from  three  wounds.  The  forego- 
ing include,  with  Colonel  Warren  and  one  other  officer,  all 
the  officers  that  were  present  with  the  regiment.  Colonel 
Warren  still  stood  by  the  regiment  which  he  had  cherished 
with  so  much  care,  and  was  not  the  man  to  forsake  his  troops 
in  the  hour  of  need,  although  he  would  have  been  justified 
in  doing  so,  as  he  was  only  exposing  his  life  to  no  purpose, 
before  as  murderous  a  fire  as  ever  fell  to  the  lot  of  soldiers 
to.  endure.  It  was  not  in  his  power  to  aid  them,  and  he  was 
forced  to  look  on  and  see  the  flower  of  his  regiment  swept 
away.  Nearly  all  of  the  new  recruits  who  had  just  joined 
had  fallen,  and  the  remainder  broke  out  to  the  rear.  Some 
of  the  non-commissioned  officers  at  first  attempted  to  shove 
them  in  again,  until  Sergeant  Forbes  sung  out :  "  Let  them 
go  !  let  them  go  !  "  and  the  men  were  receiving  deadly  vol- 
leys from  an  unseen  enemy  on  their  left  and  rear,  at  close 
quarters,  as  well  as  on  their  front,  into  their  faces,  from 
Hood's  brave,  but  ragged,  barefooted,  half-starved  Texans, 
who  now  swarmed  in  their  front  within  twenty  paces,  yelling 
like  fiends.  Had  the  Fifth  not  been  overwhelmed  by  such 
vastly  disproportionate  numbers,  they  would  have  shown 
them  a  trick  with  the  bayonet  which  they  did  not  under- 
stand. Our  men  had  such  confidence  in  themselves  from 
the  rigid  training  in  the  practical  use  of  the  bayonet,  first  in- 
troduced by  Colonel  Warren,  and  such  pride  in  the  honor  of 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  279 

their  regiment,  that  it  never  entered  into  their  heads  that 
any  force  could  drive  them,  nor  could  they  have  been  forced, 
except  under  the  circumstances  in  which  they  were  placed. 
Here  was  a  regiment  of  490  men  standing  alone,  without  sup- 
port, against  two  choice  brigades  of  Confederate  troops,  meet- 
ing the  first  onset  of  Longstreet's  famous  charge,  that  drove 
several  divisions  of  our  army  before  it  was  finally  checked 
on  Henry  House  Hill  by  Sykes'  regulars,  who  were  the  bul- 
wark of  the  army  on  many  a  .field.  They  belonged  to  the 
Fifth  corps,  General  Fitz  John  Porter,  who  had  saved  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  by  his  skill  and  obstinacy  in  fighting 
at  the  battle  of  Games'  Mill.  His  military  sagacity  had 
saved  his  corps  from  useless  slaughter,  and  perhaps  annihi- 
lation, on  the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  only  to  be  ordered  for- 
ward the  next  day,  without  support,  to  be  slaughtered,  while 
the  efforts  of  the  innocent  victims  were  treated  by  those  re-, 
sponsible  with  slight  and  disparagement.  If  General  Porter 
committed  a  fault  on  the  29th,  who  was  responsible  for  the 
disaster  of  the  3oth,  when  a  small  force  was  ordered  to  attack 
an  enemy  supposed  to  be  retreating,  while  an  immense  re- 
serve was  held  back  in  the  rear  at  a  safe  distance  ? 

It  now  became  apparent  that  the  only  hope  of  saving  a 
man  was  to  fly  and  run  the  gauntlet,  for  in  three  minutes 
more  there  would  not  have  been  a  man  standing.  The  only 
alternative  was  to  fly  or  to  surrender.  But  the  men  of  the 
Fifth  did  not  understand  the  latter  movement ;  they  had 
never  been  taught  it  by  their  officers.  All  hope  having  van- 
ished, and*  being  without  officers,  the  remnant  of  the  once 
proud  regiment  broke  and  ran  for  their  lives.  They  were 
nearly  annihilated,  but  not  conquered  or  disgraced,  and  bore 
away  with  them  all  of  their  flags,  and  many  of  their  wounded. 
Their  heroic  stand  had  not  been  in  vain.  Butterfield  on  the 
right  had  been  enabled  to  withdraw,  as  well  as  Hazlitt's 
battery,  which  the  regiment  was  supporting.  "The  latter 


280         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

had  greatly  impeded  the  enemy's  movements  on  our  right 
by  an  enfilading  fire."* 

As  soon  as  Colonel  Warren  saw  that  his  men  were  trying 
to  save  themselves,  which  he  had  ordered  them  to  do  before, 
he  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  escaped  by  dashing  down  the 
slope  and  jumping  him  over  the  brook  at  the  foot  of  the  hill, 
but  turned  again  as  soon  as  over  to  meet  his  men. 

When  the  remnant  of  the  regiment  turned  toward  the  rear, 
the  enemy  were  coming  on  in  a  long  line  without  a  break, 
and  were  not  over  twenty  feet  distant,  with  others  pouring 
out  of  the  woods  that  ran  along  on  the  left  and  rear  of  their 
position.  It  was  ascertained  afterward  from  wounded  men 
left  on  the  field,  and  who  subsequently  returned  to  the 
regiment,  that  they  were  followed  closely  by  a  second  and 
third  line.  On  the  right  toward  the  turnpike  was  another 
long  line  of  Confederates,  led  on  by  their  officers.  But  here 
and  there  were  some  of  the  Fifth  who  scorned  to  turn  their 
backs  or  to  surrender,  and  fought  to  the  last.  They  were 
all  shot  down. 

The  Confederates  came  charging  on,  a  division  strong, 
with  yells  and  cheers  for  Jeff.  Davis  and  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  and  giving  vent  to  all  kinds  of  profane  and  ob- 
scene epithets.  All  this  time  they  were  pouring  in  their 
deadly  fire  at  short  range,  picking  out  their  victims  as  they 
ran  down  the  slope  to  the  brook ;  men  were  falling  on  all 
sides,  canteens  were  struck  and  flying  to  pieces,  haversacks 
cut  off,  rifles  knocked  to  pieces,  and  still  the  enemy  came  on 
and  swept  everything  before  them. 

Alluding  to  General  Butterfield's  attack,  General  Sykes 
says  : 

"  The  enemy  seeing  its  failure,  and  that  our  weak  point  lay  on 
my  left  in  front  of  Warren,  poured  upon  his  little  command, 


*  A.  H.  Guernsey  says,  in  u  Harper's  Pictorial  History  of  the  War  "  :  "  Warren's 
desperate  stand  had  not,  however,  been  unavailing.  To  all  seeming,  it  saved  the 
defeat  from  becoming  a  rout.  ' 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  281 

under  cover  of  the  forest,  a  mass  of  infantry  that  enveloped — 
almost  destroyed — him,  and  completely  pierced  our  line,"* 

Captain  Smead,  a  regular  officer  and  a  graduate  of  West 
Point,  who  commanded  one  of  the  batteries,  was  killed. 
Hazlitt's  battery,  which  the  regiment  was  supporting,  and 
which  the  enemy  expected  to  capture,  was  saved  while  our 
men  were  standing,  receiving  their  fire  ;  but  the  artillerists 
suffered  severely. 

There  were  about  ten  men  of  Company  H  who  were 
among  the  last  to  fall  back,  among  whom  was  Sergeant  Wil- 
liam H.  Chambers,  formerly  a  soldier  of  the  British  army  and 
of  the  Crimean  war.  He  saw  Color-Sergeant  Spellman  (Regi- 
mental), while  coming  off  th^  field,  very  badly  hurt,  with  one 
of  his  hands  pressed  to  his  side,  his  body  turned  half  around, 
with  his  face  looking  toward  the  rapidly-approaching  enemy, 
who,  with  vile  epithets,  were  calling  upon  him  to  surrender. 
With  the  other  hand  he  was  holding  up  his  flag,  and  looking 
the  very  picture  of  distress.  When  Spellman  saw  him,  he 
called  out,  "  Chambers  !  For  God's  sake  don't  let  them  take 
my  flag!"  and  to  use  the  words  of  Chambers  himself  (who, 


*  Swinton  (p.  IQI)  :  "Warren  occupying  the  important  point  he  had  seized,  held 
on  stoutly  and  against  a  fearful  loss  till  all  the  rest  of  Porter's  troops  had  been  retirod, 
and  only  withdrew  when  the  enemy  had  advanced  so  close  as  to  fire  in  the  very  faces 
of  his  men." 

Compte  de  Paris  (p.  297):  "There  remained  only  about  1,000  men,  Warren's 
brigade,  to  form  the  left.  The  young  chief  of  this  brigade,  with  that  war  instinct 
for  which  he  was  always  distinguished,  had  not  waited  for  orders  to  place  himself  at 
the  most  important  point  of  the  line,  which  Reynolds  had  stripped  by  moving 
toward  Bald  Hill.  In  this  position  when  Porter  made  his  great  attack,  Warren  had 
stubbornly  covered  the  left  flank  of  his  chief.  But  the  reverse  sustained  by  the 
latter  obliged  him  to  fall  back  with  the  remainder  of  the  corps." 

Pollard  (p.  461) :  u  Hood's  brigade  charged  next  the  turnpike.  In  its  track  it  met 
Sickles'  Excelsior  brigade,  and  almost  annihilated  it.  The  ground  was  piled  with 
the  slain."* — [*  He  is  in  error  ;  it  war?  Warren's  brigade.  Sickles'  brigade  was 
composed  of  five  regiments — in  Hooker's  division  of  Heintzelman's  corps,  which 
held  the  extreme  right  at  least  two  miles  from  Warren,  who  was  on  the  extreme  left. 
See  Pope's  Campaigns,  Heintzelman's  Report  (p.  56)  :  "  General  Hooker's  divisio^n 
now  advanced  into  the  woods  near  our  right,  and  drove  the  enemy  back  a  short 
distance,"  etc.] 


282         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

as  all  of  the  old  members  of  the  Fifth  know,  was  a  brave 
man  and  could  appreciate  a  brave  deed),  he  replied  :  "  / 
won't  if  I  can  help  it"  and  brought  it  off  safe,  but,  as  he  says, 
"  It  was  the  narrowest  escape  I  ever  had  in  my  life."  He 
had  been  a  soldier  all  his  life  ;  when  he  enlisted  his  profession 
was  recorded  as  that  of  a  soldier.  Chambers  yet  bears  the 
scars  on  his  face  and  body  where  he  was  scratched  by  the 
bullets  of  the  enemy.  Flave  Carr  was  the  only  Color-Cor- 
poral that  came  off  the  field.  After  the  men  crossed  the 
brook  they  saw  a  few  regiments  in  a  kneeling  position,  and 
further  back  a  battery,  but  they  were,  from  appearances, 
beginning  to  receive  a  deadly  fire.* 

In  fact,  there  was  little  to  stop  Longstreet,  who  was  per- 
forming one  of  those  flank  movements  for  which  the  Con- 
federates were  ever  famous,  and  had  force  enough  to  walk 
over  the  few  troops  that  were  ready  to  oppose  him.t 

The  men  of  the  Fifth  kept  on  after  they  got  across  the 
brook,  but  the  bullets  followed  as  they  went.  Many  of  them 


*  "Pope's  Campaigns  "  (Report  No.  13,  p.  101)  :  u  Colonel  N.  C.  McLean,  com- 
manding 2d  brigade,  ist  division,  Sigel's  corps,  four  regiments  of  infantry  and  a 
battery,  occupied  the  Bald  Hill.  '  I  could,  by  this  time,  see  the  enemy  advancing 

on  my  front  and  a  little  to  the  right,  driving  before  them  a  regime  it  of  Zouaves 

They  came  on  rapidly,  when  some  troops  advanced  to  meet  them  from  behind  a  hill 
on  my  right ;  these  troops  were  also  driven  back  in  confusion,'  etc.  After  fighting 
hard  a  short  time,  the  enemy  were  on  his  flanks  and  rear,  and  he  was  compelled  to 
fall  back." 

Colonel  Anderson,  commanding  Jackson's  brigade  of  Reynolds'  division,  four 
regiments,  and  a  battery  of  four  guns,  to  the  right  and  in  advance  of  McLean,  was 
overwhelmed,  and  lost  his  battery.  Some  other  regiments  were  also  driven. 

t  McDowell's  Report  (No.  2,  p.  49)  :  "  The  attack  on  the  Bald  Ridge  line  had 
been  too  severe  for  the  troops  to  hold  it  long  under  the  hot  fire  the  enemy  main- 
tained upon  it.  Jackson's  brigade,  of  Reynolds'  division  ;  McLean's,  of  Schenck's, 
and  Towers'  two  brigades,  of  Rickett's  division,  were,  after  heavy  losses,  little  by 
little  compelled  to  yield  it,  General  Schenck  and  Tower  receiving  severe  wounds." 

Pollard  (p.  462)  :  u  Hood  has  already  advanced  his  division  nearly  half  a  mile  at  a 
double-quick,  the  Texans,  Georgians,  and  Hampton's  Legion,  loading  and  firing  as 
they  run,  yelling  all  the  while  like  madmen." 

lk  The  din  was  almost  deafening,  the  heavy  notes  of  the  artillery,  at  first  deliberate, 
but  gradually  increasing  in  their  rapidity,  mingled  with  the  sharp  treble  of  the  small 
arms,  give  one  an  idea  of  some  diabolical  concert  in  which  all  the  furies  of  hell  were 
at  work." 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  283 

now  endeavored  to  assist  their  wounded  comrades  who  had 
succeeded  in  getting  thus  far. 

The  remnant  of  the  regiment  rallied  on  Buchanan's  brig- 
ade, in  the  rear  of  the  plateau  of  Henry  House  Hill,  where 
they  found  their  regimental  flag,  the  staff  of  which  was  planted 
in  the  ground  by  Chambers,  who  was  standing  on  guard  at 
its  side,  with  Colonel  Warren,  who  was  dismounted,  his  horse 
having  been  disabled  from  wounds.  The  Colonel  formed  the 
men  in  line  as  they  came  up,  but  there  were  only  about  sixty 
of  them  that  got  together.  The  remainder  were  mostly  en- 
gaged in  assisting  the  wounded  to  the  rear.  They  were  joined 
by  lost  members  of  other  organizations,  and  Colonel  Warren 
took  command  of  them  again,  saying  every  few  moments,  as 
the  shell  and  bullets  came  over  their  heads,  "  Don't  dodge, 
men  !  don't  dodge  ! "  They  were  glad  to  see  their  colors 
safe,  with  the  remnant  of  stout  hearts  yet  left,  rallying 
around  them.  There  were  a  few  of  the  Tenth  whom  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Marshall  was  exhorting  and  encouraging, 
with  tears  in  his  eyes,  to  be  brave  and  resolute,  come  what 
will 

This  stand  was  made  on  one  of  the  camp-grounds,  and  as 
a  proof  of  the  rapid  advance  made  by  the  enemy,  the  camp- 
kettles  were  boiling  over  the  fires.  Lest  the  meat  therein 
might  be  wasted,  a  few  of  the  Zouaves  picked  out  pieces  and 
stowed  them  in  their  haversacks,  not  meaning  to  starve  to 
death,  whatever  else  might  happen,  notwithstanding  the 
bullets  were  continually  flying  around  and  overhead. 
Among  these  provident  men  was  "  Jake "  Lowns,  of  Com- 
pany G,  at  present  in  the  regular  army,  where  he  has  been 
for  eight  years  or  more,  who  filled  the  writer's  haversack 
with  the  meat,  his  own  having  been  shot  away. 

At  this  time  the  wounded  came  limping  along  in  squads, 
covered  with  blood,  some  being  assisted  by  comrades  and 
others  carried  in  blankets,  a  man  holding  each  corner,  and 
all  intensely  excited. 


284         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  field  everywhere  presented  to  us,  at  least,  one  of  the 
worst  pictures  of  the  chances  of  war.  The  wounded  reeled 
about  from  one  place  to  another,  some  of  them  groaning 
with  pain  ;  infantry  and  artillery  flying,  the  horses  galloping 
as  if  they  were  mad,  with  drivers  bewildered ;  officers  with 
dra\vn  swords  and  revolvers,  shouting,  cursing,  threatening 
in  the  confusion,  striving  in  vain  to  rally  their  commands  ; 
bullets  were  flying  and  shells  bursting  ;  the  rattle  of  musketry 
and  the  roar  of  artillery  made  a  fearful  din,  while  everything 
was  enveloped  in  smoke,  and  aides  and  orderlies  rode  back 
and  forth  in  wild  confusion,  or  endeavoring  to  convey  the 
orders  of  their  chiefs.  This  was,  in  fact,  what  is  called  a 
"  rout."  All  this  commotion  was  as  sudden  as  a  storm  at 
sea  after  a  calm.  We  stood  here  excitedly  looking  on  all 
this  scene,  in  an  agony  of  suspense  as  to  the  fate  of  our 
army,  and  what  the  effect  would  be  on  our  cause.  The  little 
band  stood  with  but  one  will,  to  obey  orders  ;  but  minutes 
were  ages.  Finally,  they  saw  General  McDowell,  with  some 
other  officers,  ride  along  the  front  amid  the  storm  of  bullets. 
After  making  some  motions  with  his  hand,  he  dashed  away 
again.  Soon  a  long  line  of  men  were  seen  through  the 
smoke  advancing  rapidly  along  the  ridge  in  front.  The  men 
went  onward  at  double-quick,  and  with  a  cheer  ;  at  the  end 
of  the  line  was  one  of  the  Fifth  going  with  them,  although 
he  had  no  business  there.  It  was  never  ascertained  who  he 
was,  and  he  probably  left  his  body  on  the  field,  and  his  name 
is  on  the  rolls  as  missing  in  action,  or,  mayhap,  among  the 
names  of  the  deserters,  as  many  another  man  who  lost  his 
life  in  the  service  of  his  country  stands  to-day.  This  line  of 
troops  was  a  brigade  of  Sykes'  regulars,  who  were  sent  to 
the  rescue.  The  fate  of  the  army,  and,  for  all  we  then  knew, 
perhaps  that  of  the  Union,  depended  upon  their  success  in 
staying  the  onward  rush  of  the  enemy.* 

*  Bald  Ridge  having  been  carried  by  the  enemy,  they  were  making  an  attempt 
to  capture  Henry  House  Hill,  the  key  to  the  Union  position.     Lieutenant-Colonel 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  285 

A  general  officer's  voice  rang  out  clear  and  loud  above  the 
din,  "Let  there  be  no  faltering  in  this  line /"  Immediately 
after,  a  fearful  rolling  crash,  as  the  whole  brigade  poured  in 
their  volley,  succeeded  by  a  fierce  yell,  told  that  the  brigade 
had  commenced  the  work  of  death ;  at  the  same  time  sev- 
eral batteries  stationed  on  the  hills  opened  with  grape  and 
canister  on  the  Confederate  hordes.  But  darkness  was  fast 
spreading  her  mantle  over  the  scene,  and  the  army  was 
saved.  The  regiment  now  only  a  company,  with  the  rest  of 


Chapman,  commanding  the  26.  brigade,  regulars,  and  a  volunteer  brigade  and  bat- 
tery, held  that  vital  point  for  three-fourths  of  an  hour ;  Sigel's  corps  and  other 
troops  were  also  engaged  at  this  time  on  other  parts  of  the  field.  The  regulars 
were  deserted  by  some  of  the  volunteer  troops  and  the  battery,  but  they  succeeded  in 
keeping  the  enemy  from  flanking  the  position  and  in  checking  their  onward  career. 
Meade's  and  Seymour's  brigades  also  came  up  and  did  valiant  service  ;  but  the  lat- 
ter, being  hard  pressed,  about  six  o'clock  Lieutenant-Colonel  Buchanan's  ist  brig- 
ade of  regulars  was  ordered  forward. 

Swinton  (p.  191):  "  Longstreet  kept  on  and  carried  the  l  Bald  Hill,'  held  by 
Reynolds  and  Ricketts  ;  and  it  then  became  doubtful  whether  even  the  '  Henry 
House  Hill '  could  be  maintained  so  as  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  army  over  Bull 
Run,  for  Longstreet  had  thrown  around  his  right  so  as  to  menace  that  position. 
The  regulars  saved  it,  until  relieved  by  the  brigades  of  Meade  and  Seymour  and 
other  troops,  that  maintained  the  position  and  permitted  the  withdrawal  of  the 
army  across  Bull  Run  by  the  stone  bridge." 

Compte  de  Paris  (p.  298)  :  u  Hill,  crowned  by  the  Henry  House,  checked  by 
Buchanan's  brigade  of  regular  infantry,  whose  unfaltering  stand  under  a  terrific 
fire,  vindicated  the  reputation  of  the  troops  cTelite,  of  which  it  was  composed. 
They  were  afterward  reinforced  by  Tower's  brigade  of  Ricketts'  division,  Meade's 
and  Seymour's  brigades  of  Reynolds'  division,  forming  a  nucleus  around  which 
grouped  regiments  and  batteries  that  had  preserved  their  organization  amid  the 
disorder"  (p.  299) :  u  In  checking  the  offensive  "movement  of  Longstreet,  the  gal- 
lant defenders  of  the  Henry  House  had  saved  the  Federal  army  from  a  terrible 
disaster.  They  held  their  ground  until  night." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Buchanan  (Report  No.  37,  p.  153)  :  "  I  can  not  omit  calling 
the  attention  of  the  Brigadier-General  commanding  to  the  firm  and  gallant  manner 
in  which  my  brigade  held  the  enemy  in  check  on  the  extreme  left  for  such  a  length 
of  time,  and  finally  prevented  his  turning  our  flank." 

"Pope's  Campaigns"  (No.  50,  p.  175).  Extract  from  a  letter  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Buchanan  to  General  McDowell :  "  I  did  not  lose  one  inch  of  ground  after 
I  got  my  brigade  together,  which  I  did  immediately  by  moving  this  latter  portion 
to  the  left,  but  held  the  enemy  at  bay  for  an  hour  ;  and,  instead  of  being  '  forced 
back,'  I  maintained  my  position  until  ordered  to  fall  back.  In  the  sense  of  General 
Milroy's  report,  he  would  have  obtained  possession  of  the  stone  bridge ;  and  what 
would  have  been  the  result  ?  You  are  well  aware,  our  defeat  would  have  been  dis- 
astrous." 


286         Fifth  New-  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  army,  under  the  cover  of  night  commenced  their  re- 
treat. 

From  the  time  the  first  shot  was  fired  at  the  regiment,  to 
their  getting  off  the  field,  it  was  not  over  fifteen  minutes.  It 
stood  in  line  receiving  the  murderous  fire  only  about  seven 
minutes,  yet  in  that  short  space  of  time  one  hundred  and 
thirteen  were  killed  or  mortally  wounded  ;  four  missing,  who 
were  never  heard  of,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  wounded ; 
a  total  of  two  hundred  and  ninety-seven,  out  of  the  four 
hundred  and  ninety  engaged.  Many  of  the  wounded  were 
struck  more  than  once,  and  of  those  who  escaped  .the 
tempest  of  bullets  the  majority  could  show  scratches,  and 
bullet  holes  through  their  clothing,  some  having  no  less  than 
seven.  No  other  regiment  suffered  an  equal  loss  in  so  short 
a  space  of  time,  on  the  Union  side  during  the  war.  The 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts,  mentioned  in  Pollard's  "  Southern 
History  of  the  War,"  nearly  equals  it.  They  lost  at  the  battle 
of  Antietam  in  twenty  minutes,  eighty  men  dead  on  the 
field,  and  two  hundred  and  twenty-four  wounded,  out  of  a 
total  of  five  hundred  and  fifty-six  men  engaged. 

The  following  report  by  Colonel  Warren  is  from  General 
Pope's  report  (No.  36,  p.  149)  : 

HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  BRIGADE,      ) 
SYKES'  DIVISION,  Sept.  6,  1862.  » 

SIR  : — I  take  leave  to  present  herewith  a  sketch  of  the  field  of 
action  of  the  3Oth  August,  as  it  appeared  to  me,  with  an  account 
of  what  I  witnessed  and  the  part  sustained  by  my  brigade,  con- 
sisting- of  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers,  about  490  strong,  and 
the  loth  New  York  Volunteers,  about  510  strong.  (Diagram) 

Smead's  and  Randoll's  batteries   in  the  road  near  me. 

Hazlitt's  rifled  battery  was  executing  an  order  from  General 
Porter  to  take  up  a  position  at  where  Reynolds  had  been, 
(Hazlitt's  battery  was  without  support,  and  our  whole  left  flank 
was  uncovered).  I  immediately  assumed  the  responsibility  of  oc- 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  287 

cupying  the  place  Reynolds'  division  had  vacated,  and  make  all 
the  show  of  force  I  could. 

For  this  purpose  I  deployed  three-fifths  of  the  loth  New  York 
Volunteers  to  hold  the  edge  of  the  woods  toward  the  enemy  on 
our  left,  and  keeping  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers  in  reserve, 
out  of  view  of  the  enemy's  battery. 

Notice  of  this  movement  of  mine  1  immediately  sent,  by  an 
officer,  to  General  Sykes  or  General  Porter.  He  found  the  latter, 
who  directed  me  to  hold  on,  and  sent  me  mounted  orderlies  to 
keep  him  informed.  He  was,  I  believe,  near  where  Weed's  bat- 
tery was  placed.  From  the  point  where  Hazlitt's  battery  was 
placed,  I  probably  had  the  best  view  of  what  followed  that  the 
battle-field  presented.  As  soon  as  General  Butterfield's  brigade 
advanced  up  the  hill,  there  was  great  commotion  among  the 
rebel  forces,  and  the  whole  side  of  the  hill  and  edges  of  the 
woods  swarmed  with  men  before  unseen.  The  effect  was  not 
unlike  flushing  a  covey  of  quails.  The  enemy  fell  back  to  the 
side  of  the  railroad,  and  took  shelter  on  the  railroad  cut  and  be- 
hind the  embankment,  and  lined  the  edges  of  the  woods  beyond. 
Butterfield's  advance  beyond  the  brow  of  the  hill  was  impossible, 
and  taking  his  position,  his  troops  opened  fire  on  the  enemy  in 
front,  who,  from  his  sheltered  position,  returned  it  vigorously, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  a  battery,  somewhere  in  the  prolonga- 
tion of  the  line,  E,  B,  opend  a  most  destructive  enfilading 
fire  with  spherical  case  shot.  It  became  evident  to  me  that 
without  heavy  reinforcements,  General  Butterfield's  troops  must 
fall  back  or  be  slaughtered,  the  only  assistance  he  received  being 
from  Hazlitt's  battery,  which  I  was  supporting,  and  Weed's, 
(near  N). 

After  making  a  most  desperate  and  hopeless  fight,  General 
Butterfield's  troops  fell  back,  and  the  enemy  immediately  formed 
and  advanced.  Hazlitt's  battery  now  did  good  execution  on 
them,  and  forced  one  column  that  advanced  beyond  the  point  of 
the  woods  at  (A),  to  fall  back  into  it.  Unwilling  to  retire  from 
the  position  I  held,  which  involved  the  withdrawal  of  this  ef- 
ficient batteiy  and  the  exposure  of  the  flanks  of  our  retreating 
forces,  I  held  on,  hoping  that  fresh  troops  would  be  thrown  for- 
ward to  meet  the  enemy  now  advancing  in  the  open  fields  ;  well 


288         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

knowing,  however,  that  my  position  was  one  from  which  I  could 
not  retreat  in  the  face  of  a  superior  force.  Reynolds'  division,  on 
my  left,  probably  aware  of  the  superior  force  of  the  enemy  gath- 
ering in  his  front,  fell  back  from  I  toward  P.  The  enemy  advanced 
with  rapidity  upon  my  position,  with  the  evident  intention  of  cap- 
turing Hazlitt's  battery.  The  loth  New  York  was  compelled  to 
fall  back,  scarcely  arriving  at  the  position  held  by  the  5th  New 
York,  "before"  the  enemy;  and  in  such  a  manner  as  to  almost 
completely  prevent  the  Fifth  from  firing  upon  them.  While  I 
was  endeavoring  to  clear  them  from  the  front,  the  enemy,  in 
force,  opened  fire  from  the  woods  on  the  rear  and  left  flank  of 
the  Fifth  with  most  fearful  effect.  I  then  gave  the  order  to  face 
about  and  march  down  the  hill,  so  as  to  bring  the  enemy  all  on 
our  front ;  but  in  the  roar  of  musketry  I  could  only  be  heard  a 
short  distance.  Captain  Boyd,  near  me,  repeated  the  command, 
but  his  men  only  partially  obeyed  it.  They  were  unwilling  to 
make  a  backward  movement.  He  was  wounded  while  trying  to 
txecute  it.  Adjutant  Sovereign  carried  the  order  along  the  line 
to  Captain  Winslow,  commanding  the  regiment,  and  to  the  other 
Captains,  but  was  killed  in  the  act.  Captain  Winslow's  horse 
was  shot ;  Captain  Lewis,  acting  field  officer,  was  killed  ;  Captain 
Hager  was  killed  ;  Capiains  McConnell  and  Montgomery  were 
down  with  wounds,  and  Lieutenants  Raymond,  Hoffman, 
Keyser,  and  Wright  were  wounded.  Both  color-bearers  were 
shot  down,  and  all  but  four  of  the  Sergeants  were  killed  or 
wounded. 

Before  the  colors  and  the  remnant  of  the  regiment  could  be  ex- 
tricated, 298  men  of  the  Fifth,  and  133  of  the  loth  New  York 
were  killed  or  wounded.*  In  the  loth  New  York,  Lieutenant 
Hedden  was  killed,  and  Captain  Dimmick,  Lieutenant  Deweyick, 
Lieutenant  Mosscross,  and  Lieutenant  Cuthane  wounded. 

We  assisted  from  the  field  77  wounded  of  the  Fifth  and  8  of 
the  Tenth.  The  remainder  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Among  these  were  Captains  Boyd,  McConnell,  and  Montgomery, 
and  Lieutenants  Wright  and  Raymond  of  the  Fifth. 

Braver  men  than  those  who  fought*  and  fell  that  day  could  not 


*  A  later  report  states  the  loss  in  the  loth  New  York  as  115. 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  289 

be  found.     It  was  impossible  for  us  to  do  more,  and  as  is  well 
known,  all  the  efforts  of  our  army  barely  checked  this  advance. 
Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  K.  WARREN, 
Colonel  yh  New  York  Volunteers, 

Commanding  Third  Brigade. 
Lieutenant  HEYWARD  CUTTING, 

Acting  Aide-de-Camp  and  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant- 
General,  General  Sykes'  Division. 

General  Sykes,  in  his  report  ("Pope's  Campaign,"  p.  148), 
makes  the  following  statement  of  the  occurrences  on  the 
field: 

"  I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Major-General  command- 
ing to  the  services  of  Colonels  Warren,  Buchanan*,  and  Chap- 
man,! United  States  Army,  commanding  brigades  of  my  division. 
Their  coolness,  courage,  and  example  were  conspicuous.  Their 
claim  to  promotion  has  been  earned  on  fields  of  battle  long  prior 
to  that  of  the  3oth  of  August,  1862."  "  Had  the  efforts  of  these 
officers,  those  of  Generals  Reynolds,  Reno,  and  Butterfield,  been 
properly  sustained,  it  is  doubtful  if  the  day  had  gone  against  us." 
"  Warren's  command  was  sacrificed  by  the  withdrawal  of  Rey- 
nolds' troops  from  my  left,  and  their  non-replacement  by  others. 
'The  enemy  masked  and  concealed  his  brigades  in  the  forests  south 
of  the  Warrenton  pike.  His  presence  was  unseen  and  unknown 
until  he  appeared  in  sufficient  strength  to  overpower  the  infantry 
opposed  to  him." 

Many  of  the  old  and  experienced  members  of  the  regi- 
ment ran  zig-zag  when  escaping  from  the  enemy,  to  distract 
their  aim,  who  were  picking  their  men  at  close  range.  A 
number  of  new  recruits  were  on  the  way  to  join  the  Fifth, 
but  little  could  they  imagine  what  their  trials  and  troubles 
were  to  be.  Second  Lieutenant  Thomas  R.  Martin,  in  com- 
mand of  Company  G,  which  lost  34  men  killed  and  wounded 


*  Sec  Appendix.  t  See  Appendix. 

13 


290        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

out  of  50,  stood  at  his  post  to  the  last  encouraging  his  men, 
although  himself  wounded  in  the  leg,  ably  assisted  by  Ser- 
geants Forbes,  Law,  Jack  Taylor,  and  Wilson.  They,  and 
the  remnant  of  the  company,  which  was  next  in  line  to  the 
left  company,  did  not  leave  until  the  enemy  were  within  a 
few  feet  of  them,  and  all  hope  had  fled  of  making  any  effect- 
ive resistance.  There  were  present  with  the  regiment  after 
this  engagement  only  about  eighty  privates  of  the  two  years' 
men  who  were  at  Fort  Schuyler  when  the  regiment  was  first 
organized  ;  the  rest  had  been  killed  or  wounded,  sick  in 
hospital,  discharged  or  deserted.  Had  this  little  remnant 
been  so  unfortunate  as  to  become  engaged  in  another  simi- 
lar struggle,  it  would  have  been  wiped  out  as  a  thing  of  the 
past.  It  was  a  fearful  conflict,  and  seemed  to  be  one  of  ex- 
termination. The  Confederates  fought  hard  and  with  the 
greatest  determination,  and  the  prisoners  taken  seemed  to 
be  confident  of  success  in  the  end.  They  persisted  that  the 
South  would  never  yield.  One  of  the  Texans  drawled  out, 
in  a  conversation  with  Jack  Whigain  (whose  brother  was  killed 
in  this  battle),  one  of  the  men  detailed  with  the  flag  of  truce 
to  bury  the  dead  and  look  after  the  wounded  :  "  We  will 
foute  you  until  we  are  all  dead,  Yanks  !  and  I  reckon  the 
women  will  foute  you  after  that."  The  people  of  the  North 
were  too  much  disposed  to  underrate  them.  Many  of  them 
did  not  seem  to  reflect  that  the  Southerners  were  fighting  for 
what  they  were  brought  up  to  believe  was  their  right,  and 
for  their  homes  and  firesides,  and  were  of  the  same  flesh  and 
blood  as  themselves ;  and  I  venture  to  say  that  the  propor- 
tion of  native  born  was  much  larger  than  in  the  army  op- 
posed to  them.  They m  were  the  descendants  of  the  men 
who,  under  Generals  Greene,  Surnter,  Marion,  Morgan,  and 
the  immortal  Washington  himself,  fought  and  suffered  in  the 
struggle  for  independence  against  the  power  of  Great  Britain, 
and  in  the  wars  in  which  the  country  had  since  then  been 
engaged. 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  291 

FRANCIS    SPELLMAN. 

Sergeant  Francis  Spellman  the  writer  had  every  opportu- 
nity to  know  well,  as  he  was  one  of  his  messmates  for  some 
time  in  Baltimore.  Afterward,  when  there  was  a  vacancy 
in  the  color-sergeantcy,  he  conversed  about  it ;  he  was  very 
quiet  and  calm  when  he  spoke,  and  with  a  resigned  air,  as  if 
he  should  never  think  of  refusing  any  duty  that  might  be  im- 
posed upon  him  as  a  soldier.  He  said  :  "  Several  of  the 
men  have  been  talked  of  for  the  vacancy  on  the  colors,  and 
I  am  one  of  them.  I  don't  care  for  the  honor,  but  I  won't 
refuse"  That  sentence  was  the  utterance  of  his  nobility 
and  courage  ;  for  he  knew  that  the  position  entailed,  besides 
the  honor,  almost  sure  death,  sooner  or  later.  In  all  his 
associations,  in  the  mess  or  out  of  it,  he  never  had  a  quarrel 
or  a  cross  word  with  any  one.  He  was  no  ordinary  man  ; 
being  quiet  and  reflective,  spending  his  leisure  hours  in  read- 
ing or  discussing  military  questions  from  Hardee's  "  Tactics," 
and  was  very  quick  to  see  through  their  complications ;  and 
if  he  had  lived,  his  merit  and  ability  to  command  would  have 
been  discovered  by  such  an  observant  officer  as  Colonel 
Warren.  He  was  always  gentlemanly,  and  there  was  nothing 
vulgar  in  his  composition ;  extraordinarily  neat,  his  rifle  al- 
ways shone  like  silver,  and  he  was  one  of  the  most  perfectly 
drilled  men  in  the  regiment.  But  beneath  his  outward  and 
even-toned  temperament,  one  could  see  in  the  deep  blue  eye 
that  lighted  his  face  the  truest  kind  of  courage.  When  he 
was  discovered  in  a  hospital  in  Washington  (by  what  means 
he  was  conveyed  there  was  never  learned),  his  right  arm  had 
been  taken  off  near  the  shoulder.  He  was  shot  through  the 
side  in  several  places,  and  had  a  ghastly  wound  through  the 
neck,  his  throat  being  so  much  swollen  that  he  could  only 
make  a  humming  noise.  The  following  letter  was  written 
by  a  friend  and  former  messmate  of  Spellman,  Alonzo  Ameli, 
of  Company  G,  and  addressed  to  his  brother ;  and  was  copied 
from  the  original  by  the  author : 


292        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

BALTIMORE,  Jan.  30,  1863. 

Last  week  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Winches- 
ter, who  attended  FRANK  SPELLMAN  in  his  last  moments,  and 
he  said  that  being  interested  in  him,  he  strove  to  learn  his  name, 
and  mentioned  over  several  names  to  him,  to  all  of  which  Frank 
shook  his  head ;  then  taking  his  memorandum  book  he  held  it 
up,  and  feeble  and  trembling  poor  Frank  tried  to  write  his  name 
upon  it.  When  he  got  through  he  said,  "  Francis  ?  "  and  he 
nodded  yes  ;  then  he  wrote  again,  and  the  minister  said  "  Spell- 
man  ?  "  receiving  an  affirmative  nod.  He  said  he  tried  to  find 
out  where  he  lived,  but  the  left  hand  fell  upon  the  bed,  and  he  said 
he  could  not  urge  the  poor,  brave  man  to  any  more  exertion.  Then 
he  prayed  with  him,  and  when  he  left,  Frank  was  humming  a  tune 
very  faintly,  which  he  says  was  a  hymn.  In  a  few  hours  he  called 
again,  and  he  found  him  sinking  rapidly  from  his  severe  wounds, 
but  he  was  happy,  and  soon  after  died.  Noble  Frank  !  He  was 
indeed  a  true  friend,  a  cheerful  companion,  and  a  brave  soldier. 
I  have  copied  his  name  just  as  he  wrote  it  upon  the  leaf  of  the 
memorandum  book. 

Spellman  died  a  few  days  after  the  battle,  and  sleeps  in  a 
soldier's  grave,  near  Washington,  among  an  army  of  others 
who  died  under  the  old  flag,  for  the  honor  of  which  they  gave 
up  their  lives.  He  had  not  a  relative  or  a  friend  in  this 
country  outside  of  his  army  comrades,  and  there  was  no  one 
at  home  to  watch  his  career,  or  who  would  feel  proud  of  his 
honorable  deeds,  and  from  whom  he  could  expect  paens  of 
praise,  or  who  would  mourn  over  him  if  he  should  fall.  All 
the  honor  he  could  expect  would  be  that  from  his  comrades 
in  arms  and  his  officers,  and  the  consciousness  that  he  was 
performing  his  duty.  His  actions  proved  that  his  whole 
thought  was  nobly  fixed  on  the  trust  he  had  accepted,  when 
he  singled  out  from  those  around  him  a  comrade  whom  he 
knew  to  be  a  brave  man  and  a  soldier,  and  who  would  ac- 
cept the  flag  he  was  no  longer  able  to  defend.  And  in  his 
agony  of  mind,  far  above  his  bodily  pain,  he  called  out : 
"Chambers!  for  God's  sake,  dorit  let  them  take  my  flag!" 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  293 

A  monument  should  be  erected  to  his  memory,  and  no 
more  fitting  words  could  be  inscribed  upon  it,  than  the  dying 
words  of  the  hero,  as  an  example  to  future  generations. 

ILLIAM    H.    CHAMBERS. 

William  H.  Chambers  enlisted,  when  he  was  only  seven- 
teen years  old,  in  the  English  army,  and  in  the  course  of  his 
service  was  in  the  Crimean  war.  He  came  to  this  country 
a  short  time  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  and 
immediately  enlisted  in  the  5th  Regiment  as  a  private,  and 
was  mustered  out  with  it  as  a  Major  by  brevet,  May  14,  1863, 
having  never  been  absent  from  sickness  or  serious  wounds — an 
honor  accorded  only  to  one  other  Captain.  Re-enlisted  with 
the  5th  Veterans  as  a  private,  commanded  by  Colonel  WINS- 
LOW.  He  was  promoted  on  the  field  for  bravery,  and  served 
till  the  end  of  the  war,  and  was  again  breveted  Major.  He 
was  offered  the  position  of  Orderly  Sergeant  in  the  regular 
army,  with  the  promise  that  he  should  be  promoted  to  a 
commission  at  the  first  opportunity,  but  he  declined  to  accept 
anything  but  a  commission. 

I  omitted  to  state  that  the  first  officer  he  met  after  cross- 
ing the  brook  with  the  flag  he  had  saved,  was  Lieutenant 
Hoffman,  who  was  wounded  ;  the  next  was  Colonel  Warren. 

WILLIAM    MCDOWELL. 

Among  those  who  lay  dead  on  the  battle-field,  was  William 
McDowell,  the  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Company  G,  to  which 
position  he  was  appointed  from  the  ranks,  thus  stepping 
over  all  the  intermediate  Corporals  and  Sergeants,  and  no 
man  better  deserved  it.  He  had  been  offered,  and  re- 
fused to  accept,  an  inferior  appointment.  He  was  a 
member  of  Washington  Truck  Company,  No.  9,  Volunteer 
Fire  Department,  New  York  City,  when  he  enlisted,  in 
April,  1 86 1.  (Three  members  of  this  fire  company  were 


294        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

killed  in  this  battle).  He  belonged  to  a  family  noted  for  their 
fine  physique,  and  stood  six  feet  two  and  a  half  inches  in 
height,  and  was  well-proportioned.  He  was  as  brave  in  the 
hour  of  need  as  he  was  kind  and  gentle  in  his  social  relations 
among  his  comrades  and  friends.  A  large  party  of  members 
of  the  Volunteer  Fire  Department  enlisted  together,  one  of 
whom  was  Win.  McDowell,  and  it  was  their  fortune  to  serve 
together  in  Company  G.  When  he  became  Orderly,  it  soon 
began  to  be  understood  among  his  former  associates  that 
they  must  not  presume  on  old  acquaintanceship  to  shirk  any 
duty,  or  expect  any  partiality,  even  among  his  own  messmates, 
in  the  line  of  duty.  When  a  man's  turn  came  to  go  on  a 
detail  of  any  kind,  go  he  must,  no  matter  who  or  what  he 
was ;  and  often  when  a  man  tried  to  evade  it  by  managing 
to  be  in  some  other  than  his  own  quarters,  I  have  seen  Mc- 
Dowell take  a  spade  or  pick  in  his  hand  and  stand  in  the 
shirker's  place  until  he  could  be  hunted  up,  rather  than  put 
a  man  to  duty  outside  of  his  regular  turn.  When  the  delin- 
quent was  found,  he  would  quietly  remind  him  of  his  duty  in 
such  a  way  as  to  make  him  thoroughly  ashamed,  and  the 
men  of  the  company  soon  began  to  dread  a  lecture  from 
"  Billy,"  or  "  Pop,"  as  he  was  sometimes  called,  more  than 
they  did  the  guard-house.  He  very  seldom  reported  any  one, 
because  under  his  management  it  was  not  necessary.  When 
off  duty  it  was  just  the  opposite;  anything  that  he  possessed 
he  would  share  with  the  men,  but  the  majority  respected 
him  too  much  to  attempt  to  take  any  undue  liberties  with 
him,  and  those  who  were  wanting  in  the  latter  quality,  did 
not  care  to  rouse  his  lion  nature,  as  he  was  known  to  pos- 
sess great  physical  power  and  undaunted  courage.  He  had 
a  fine  sense  of  honor,  and  would  never  run  guard  himself  nor 
allow  any  one  to  pass  him  when  he  was  a  private  on  post. 

At  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  McDowell  was  one  of 
the  number  that  would  not  run  or  surrender.  It  was  seen 
that  he  was  wounded  in  the  body,  and  had  fallen  back  a  few 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  295 

paces,  and  was  facing  the  enemy  when  they  came  out  of  the 
wood.  After  the  most  of  the  remainder  of  the  regiment  had 
made  for  the  rear,  a  ball  struck  him  in  the  forehead,  and  he 
fell  dead,  with  his  feet  to  the  foe,  and  in  this  position  he  was 
found  and  buried  by  Jack  Whigam,  of  the  same  fire  company, 
who  went  with  the  detail  under  flag  of  truce.  Thus  died  as 
brave  and  noble-hearted  a  man  as  ever  lived.  The  men  of 
his  company  felt  his  loss  keenly,  and  mourned  for  him,  as 
they  looked  up  to  him  as  their  father.  They  could  have 
another  Orderly,  but  there  was  only  one  Sergeant  McDowell. 
The  following  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Sergeant  McDowell 
appeared  in  the  New  York  Leader  : 

"  THE  LOSS  OF  ANOTHER  GALLANT  FIREMAN  AND  SOLDIER. 

"  We  notice  that  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  at  the  head  of  his 
company,  Wm,  McDowell,  First  Sergeant  of  Company  G,  Dur- 
yee's  Zouaves,  fell,  nobly  leading  his  command.  He  was  one  of 
nature's  noblemen,  well  known  in  the  Department,  standing  over 
six  feet  two  inches  high,  of  heroic  courage,  possessing  an  innate 
modesty  and  kindness  of  heart  that  made  each  one  love  the  man. 
A  native  of  this  city,  he  possessed  the  confidence  of  his  employ- 
ers, and  the  highest  esteem  of  his  brother  firemen  as  a  member 
of  Washington  Truck  Company,  No.  9. 

"  His  towering  frame  might  have  been  seen  in  the  front  rank 
of  the  Duryee  Zouaves  on  leaving  New  York,  one  of  the  very 
first  to  go  forward  to  guard  the  emblem  of  our  country,  and  to 
put  down  the  traitors  to  his  beloved  flag  and  the  institutions  he 
adored. 

"  His  company  was  in  many  battles.  He  was  foremost  in  en- 
couraging his  comrades,  offered  promotion  for  his  gallantry,  but 
ever  declining.  He  died  like  the  brave  ever  like  to  die,  and  he 
now  fills  a  patriot's  grave,  leaving  an  aged  mother  to  mourn  the 
loss  of  an  affectionate  and  brave  son.  God  protect  and  con- 
sole the  widowed  mother !  His  companions  deeply  mourn  his 
loss,  and  will  ever  hold  his  memory  in  grateful  remembrance." 

Another  of  those  who  would  not  leave  the  field,  was  Ser- 
geant Philip  L.  Wilson,  of  Company  G.  He  was  a  direct 


296        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

contrast  to  McD.  in  size,  social  position,  and  education.  Com- 
ing from  the  higher  walks  of  life,  and  though  still  suffering  from 
his  wounds,  is  at  present  a  lawyer  of  standing  in  N.  Y.  City. 
He  stood  to  the  last,  and  had  received  two  scratches,  and  as 
the  enemy  were  coming  from  the  woods,  fired  at  one  of  them, 
and  saw  him  clap  his  hands  on  his  abdomen  and  fall.  He 
went  about  forty  paces  further  to  the  rear,  at  the  same  time 
endeavoring  to  load  his  rifle,  and  the  charge  was  partially 
down  in  the  barrel,  when  he  heard  a  Confederate  officer  give 
vent  to  an  opprobrious  epithet,  and  exclaim  :  "  My  children, 
kill  every  Yankee  you  can  find."  This  stirred  Wilson's 
blood,  and  he  turned  toward  them,  at  the  same  time  endeav- 
oring to  ram  home  the  charge,  for  he  was  determined  to  kill 
that  officer  if  possible,  when  his  right  leg  was  knocked  from 
under  him,  and  he  fell  with  an  ugly  wound,  which  perma- 
nently crippled  him. 

Before  the  regiment  went  on  the  field  of  battle  they  came 
to  a  halt  and  rested  on  the  banks  of  a  beautiful  stream  of 
water.  Many  of  the  men  availed  themselves  of  the  oppor- 
tunity to  wash  themselves,  among  whom  was  Captain  Hager, 
of  Company  F,  who  was  the  only  commissioned  officer  in  the 
regiment  at  the  time  who  wore  the  full  Zouave  uniform. 
After  he  had  washed  and  completed  his  preparations,  he  said 
to  the  company,  "  Boys,  how  do  I  look  ? "  "  You  look 
nobby,"  said  one  ;  "  You  look  bully,"  said  another.  "  Well," 
replied  the  Captain,  "  don't  you  think  I'd  make  a  fine-look- 
ing corpse  ?  "  A  short  time  afterward  he  was  lying  dead  on 
the  battle-field.  He  was  a  favorite  with  his  company,  and  a 
brave,  cool  soldier.  He  enlisted  in  the  regiment  as  a  private. 

The  irrepressible  "  Butch  "  Sapher  was  in  the  most  serious 
difficulty  of  his  whole  service,  and  he  was  awaiting  sentence 
of  court-martial  for  striking  an  officer  at  Harrison's  Landing, 
and  the  probabilities  were,  that  notwithstanding  his  many 
good  qualities  as  a  brave  and  cool-headed  soldier,  and  the 
life  of  the  regiment,  that  he  would  be  shot.  Notwithstand- 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  297 

ing  his  dilemma  he  must  have  bis  amusement.  He  had  on 
an  old  white-felt  hat  he  had  picked  up  somewhere,  with 
the  crown  torn  out,  his  hair,  or  "  scalp  lock  "  rather — for  that 
was  all  he  would  allow  to  grow — was  standing  up  above  it, 
and  over  his  shoulder  was  a  stick,  with  a  bundle  tied  to  the 
end  of  it ;  this  was  just  before  the  battle,  and  he  had  "come 
up  to  take  a  hand  in."  A  shell  came  bouncing  along,  and 
struck  close  by  him  ;  he  did  not  budge  a  hair,  but  taking  off 
his  apology  for  a  hat,  he  bowed  very  gracefully,  saying, 
"Good-morning;  may  you  all  strike  in  the  same  spot," 
which  made  a  laugh  all  about  him,  among  the  officers  as  well 
as  the  men.  For  two  or  three  days  after  the  battle  nothing 
was  seen  of  "  Butch,"  and  it  was  supposed  that  he  had  either 
been  killed  or  had  disappeared  to  avoid  the  sentence  of  the 
court-martial.  When  the  regiment  arrived  at  Hall's  Hill,  a 
strange  character  was  seen  approaching  at  a  distance,  but  on 
getting  closer,  it  was  perceived  that  it  was  our  missing  "Butch,"' 
mounted  on  a  mule,  with  three  or  four  rities  strapped  to  his 
back,  together  with  a  surgeon's  knapsack  of  medicines.  He 
had  taken  them  from  a  cowardly  hospital  steward  who  had 
run  away,  and  been  captured  by  "  Butch,"  who  stripped  him 
of  the  stores,  and  it  appears  he  had  been  rendering  invalu- 
able services  to  the  surgeons  and  among  the  wounded.  The 
first  words  he  said  were,  "  Come  here,  all  you  that  are  sick, 
and  I  will  give  you  physic."  Nothing  more  was  heard  of  the 
court-martial.  He  was  a  very  powerful  man,  and  had  served 
an  apprenticeship  in  the  navy,  before  the  war,  and  was 
marked  in  India  ink  with  the  usual  devices  of  anchors,  ships, 
etc.  He  could  hold  a  fifty-pound  shot  at  arm's  length,  with 
ease,  in  either  hand,  and  was  always  full  of  fun  and  mischief; 
could  sing  comic  and  sentimental  songs,  etc.,  and  was  a  great 
favorite  with  officers  and  men. 

One  of  the  wounded  who  was  lying  on  the  field  stated 
afterward  that  the  Confederate  General,  "  Stonewall"  Jack- 
son, came  over  the  ground  where  the  regiment  had  been 
13* 


298         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

engaged,  and  he  heard  him  say  to  the  Confederates,  "  Be 
careful  not  to  hurt  any  of  the  enemy's  wounded,  as  they  must 
be  regarded  as  our  friends." 

Charles  Taylor,  of  Company  G,  was  lying  badly  wounded 
near  the  brook,  and  he  asked  one  of  the  Fifth,  who  laid 
down  under  the  enemy's  fire  and  became  a  prisoner,  to  fill 
his  canteen  with  water  from  the  brook  a  few  feet  off.  He 
replied  that  he  was  afraid  that  the  enemy  would  shoot  him. 
A  Confederate  came  along,  and  not  only  filled  his  canteen, 
but  bathed  his  wounds  himself. 

Among  the  recruits  who  joined  the  regiment  at  Newport 
News,  twelve  days  before  the  battle,  was  James  Cathey,  a 
young  man  of  high  spirit  and  strong  principle.  The  last 
words  he  said  were  to  Patterson,  who  stood  near  him  in  the 
line,  and  who  knew  him  and  his  family  in  New  York,  before 
they  went  into  the  field.  They  were  these  :  "  Look  out  for 
Siss."  He  was  killed. 

A  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  who  is 
proprietor  of  a  well-known  house  of  refreshment  in  the 
upper  part  of  New  York  City,  and  was  also  well  acquainted 
with  Cathey,  told  the  writer  that  the  day  he  left  for  the  front, 
he  came  into  his  house  in  full  uniform,  and  bade  him  and 
some  friends  good-bye.  Before  he  went,  he  took  out  a 
copper  cent  from  his  pocket,  and  cutting  a  nick  in  it,  said, 
"  Keep  this  until  I  come  back."  The  barkeeper  stuck  it 
up  on  the  wall  behind  the  bar.  On  the  day  of  the  battle, 
and  at  the  precise  hour,  as  was  afterward  ascertained,  that 
young  Cathey' s  spirit'  had  fled,  a  few  friends  were  talking 
about  the  war  and  the  absent  ones  ;  among  them  were  men- 
tioned the  many  good  qualities  of  Cathey.  They  were  com- 
menting on  the  circumstance  of  his  leaving  the  penny  when 
he  went  away,  which  was  still  sticking  on  the  wall,  when, 
without  any  apparent  cause,  it  dropped  to  the  floor.  They 
thought  it  was  ominous  of  evil  at  the  time,  and  in  a  few 
days  their  forebodings  were  verified.  Cathey  was  dead. 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  299 

A  ball  passed  through  the  canteen,  haversack,  a  blank 
book  (three-fourths  of  an  inch  thick),  a  tin  plate,  and  a 
large  piece  of  pork,  and  •embedded  itself  in  the  hip  of  First 
Sergeant  Geo.  A.  Mitchell,  of  Company  F,  occasioning  a 
painful,  but  not  dangerous  wound.  This  circumstance,  tri- 
fling as  it  may  appear,  shows  at  what  close  quarters  the  men 
received  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

James  Patterson,  of  Company  G,  was  lying  with  four 
wounds  made  by  one  ball,  and  perfectly  helpless.  A  Con- 
federate cavalryman  came  along,  and  was  robbing  the  dead, 
and  not  even  sparing  the  wounded.  He  said  to  Patterson, 
"  You  won't  live  anyhow,  and  I  guess  I'll  take  what  you 
have  got."  He  took  his  shoes  off  and  two  dollars  in  money. 
The  wounded  man  begged  him  to  fill  his  canteen  with  water, 
but  he  refused,  and  said  that  he  didn't  need  any  water,  as  he 
could  not  live  anyway,  for  he  was  all  shot  to  pieces.  As  he 
left,  the  rebel  told  him  that  Jackson  was  in  Washington,  and 
waving  the  bill  in  his  face,  said,  "  I  am  going  there  too,  and 
will  not  fail  to  drink  your  health  with  this  note  when  I  get 
there." 

Pollard  in  his  history  says  : 

*'  The  scenes  of  the  battle-field  were  rendered  ghastly  by  an 
extraordinary  circumstance,  There  was  not  a  dead  Yankee  in 
all  that  broad  field  who  had  not  been  stripped  of  his  shoes  and 
stockings — and  in  numerous  cases,  been  left  as  naked  as  the  hour 
he  was  born.  Our  barefooted  and  ragged  men  had  not  hesitated 
to  supply  their  necessities  even  from  the  garments  and  equip- 
ments of  the  dead.  So  numerous  were  the  wounded  Yankees, 
that  in  four  days'  3,000  had  not  been  attended  to," 

The  following  is  from  a  narrative  by  a  Confederate  Lieu- 
tenant : 

'r  "The  fight  was  by  far  the  most  horrible  and  deadly  that  I 
have  seen."  "  Their  dead  (Union)  on  the  field  were  left  in  such 
numbers  as  to  sicken  even  the  veterans  of  Richmond  and  the 


3OO         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

Shenandoah  Valley ; "  "  they  left  2,000  dead,  rotting  clay,  and 
almost  innumerable  wounded."  "Their  discipline  and  night 
saved  them  from  a  rout." 

The  Confederate  losses,  by  their  own  reports,  were  1,090 
killed,  6,154  wounded,  in  the  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
regiments  of  infantry,  and  among  their  artillery  battalion, 
engaged.  The  greatest  loss  appears  in  the  brigades  that 
first  charged,  especially  among  the  officers ;  the  5th  Texas 
lost  239  in  killed  and  wounded,  among  whom  were  all  of 
their  field  and  acting  field  officers,  and  after  the  battle  the 
regiment  was  under  the  command  of  a  Captain.  The  loss 
in  Porter's  twenty-four  regiments  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  was  2,164,  about  one-fourth  of  the  number  of  his 
forces  engaged. 

The  dead  of  the  Fifth  Regiment  had  not  generally  been 
stripped,  as  their  uniform  was  not  of  any  use  to  the  Confed- 
erates, but  they  took  their  shoes  and  stockings  in  most  in- 
stances, and  in  many  cases  their  fez  caps,  and  of  course 
whatever  money  or  valuables  any  of  them  chanced  to  have 
on  their  persons.  The  badly  wounded  lay  on  the  field  for 
two  or  three  days,  among  the  festering  corpses,  before  they 
were  removed  by  their  comrades,  who  were  sent  to  their  re- 
lief under  a  flag  of  truce.  The  latter  buried  79  of  the 
Fifth,  and  there  were  others  who  could  not  be  recognized  on 
account  of  the  loss  of  their  uniforms,  or  who  had  crawled 
into  the  woods  and  died  there,  whom  they  could  not  reach, 
as  they  were  restricted  by  a  Confederate  guard  to  a  certain 
boundary.  But  the  number  killed  and  wounded  that  I  have 
heretofore  stated — 297,  the  names  of  whom  appear  in  the 
Appendix — have  been  taken  from  the  company  rolls,  and 
no  pains  have  been  spared  to  have  them  verified  by  comrades. 
It  is  generally  supposed  that  the  loss  was  even  greater,  as 
some  names  appear  on  the  rolls  as  dropped  for  desertion 
from  the  date  of  the  battle,  who  have  never  been  seen  since 
by  any  of  their  comrades  or  friends. 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  301 

Sergeant  Henry  Bullwinkle,  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  regiment,  and  who  served  all  through  with  it,  was  as 
cool  as  he  was  brave,  as  all  those  that  served  with  him  can 
testify.  He  was  one  of  the  last  to  leave  the  field  on  the 
left,  as  the  enemy  came  out  of  the  woods.  He  had  received 
one  bullet  through  his  fez  cap,  grazing  the  side  of  his  head. 
As  he  fell  back,  he  took  deliberate  aim  at  a  color-bearer, 
and  saw  him  fall.  As  he  was  running  off,  he  received  a  shot 
through  his  pantaloons,  grazing  his  thigh  ;  another  cut 
through  a  leather  leggin  grazing  the  bone,  and  the  balls 
whistled  lively  about  his  ears.  Something  struck  his  blanket, 
which  was  rolled  up  and  hanging  over  his  shoulders,  (all  of 
the  men  were  carrying  their  blankets  in  this  manner,  having 
left  their  knapsacks  at  Harrison's  Landing).  He  could  hear 
the  cursing  and  abuse  of  the  enemy.  He  fell  on  the  ground 
and  they  stopped  their  fire,  but  he  jumped  to  his  feet  again 
and  succeeded  by  great  agility  in  crossing  the  brook  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill.  He  halted  in  the  bushes  on  the  other  side, 
and  reloaded  his  piece,  when  seeing  a  group  of  mounted 
officers  he  took  steady  aim  and  fired,  and  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  seeing  one  of  the  officers  fall  from  his  saddle.  He 
then  ran  toward  a  battery  of  four  guns  on  a  hill,  the  men 
of  which  were  making  frantic  gestures  for  him  to  get  out  of 
the  way,  as  they  were  about  to  fire.  He  succeeded  in 
reaching  it  and  going  by  it,  and  the  battery  immediately 
opened  on  the  enemy,  who  were  now  at  close  range. 

Reuben  P.  Sturgess,  a  young  man,  only  eighteen  years  of 
age,  and  one  of  the  first  to  enlist  in  the  regiment,  picked  up 
Colonel  Warren's  cap,  which  had  fallen  to  the  ground,  and 
handed  it  to  him.  This  was  about  the  time  of  the  crisis  of 
the  onslaught  of  the  enemy,  and  the  men  had  been  ordered 
to  fall  back,  but  they  would  not  leave.  Colonel  Warren 
asked  him  his  name,  and  what  company  he  belonged  to. 
He  replied,  "Company  C."  "Well;  you  get  to  the  rear; 
this  is  no  place  for  Company  C ; "  instead  of  retreating  he 


3O2         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

fired  a  shot  at  the  enemy,  and  stood,  and  again  re-loaded  his 
piece.  The  remnant  of  the  regiment  were  now  trying  to 
save  themselves  by  falling  back.  The  next  day,  Colonel 
Warren  inquired  for  young  Sturgess.  "Missing,"  was  the 
answer.  "Then,"  said  the  Colonel,  "  that  brave  young  man 
is  dead  or  wounded."  It  was  too  true — he  had  received  a 
mortal  wound. 

Joseph  H.  Tyndall,  of  Company  D,  finding  himself  sur- 
rounded by  the  enemy  and  unable  to  escape,  threw  down 
his  rifle  at  the  feet  of  a  Confederate,  who  was  charging  upon 
him  with  the  bayonet,  in  token  of  submission.  The  latter, 
however,  contrary  to  the  rules  of  civilized  warfare  and  the 
common  instincts  of  humanity,  was  about  to  run  him  through, 
when  Tyndall  by  a  quick  movement  eluded  the  thrust,  seized 
the  weapon,  and  by  a  powerful  movement  wrenched  it  from 
his  grasp,  amid  the  jeers  and  gibes  of  the  Confederate's 
companions. 

Sergeant  Robert  Strachan,  of  Company  I,  supported 
James  Cochrane,  who  was  bleeding  from  four  wounds,  to 
the  rear,  and  endeavored  to  halt  one  of  the  ambulances  on 
the  road,  which  were  all  full  and  moving  off  at  a  rapid 
pace.  But  none  of  the  drivers  would  take  any  notice  of 
his  urgent  appeals.  Finally,  one  of  them  dashed  rapidly  by 
him,  drawn  by  four  horses.  He  called  to  the  driver  to  stop  ; 
but  the  only  response  he  received  was  a  curse.  Strachan 
was  a  determined  man,  and  feeling  that  he  must  adopt  a 
decided  course  of  action,  knowing  that  there  was  no  time 
to  spare,  as  the  enemy  were  coming  on,  he  leveled  his 
Sharp's  rifle  at  the  head  of  the  driver,  and  said,  "  Halt !  ot 
I  will  drive  a  bullet  through  your  skull."  This  mandate  was 
obeyed,  and  he  lifted  "  Jim  "  by  mam  strength  and  threw 
him  into  the  wagon  on  top  of  the  wounded,  and  the  ambu- 
lance dashed  off.  By  this  means  Cochrane  was  saved  from 
being  left  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  probably 
owes  his  life  to  Strachan' s  decision. 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  303 

Corporal  George  Huntsman,  a  young  man  rf  great  prom- 
ise, who  was  receiving  an  academic  education  before  his 
enlistment,  left  his  pleasant  home  at  Flushing,  Long  Island, 
and  went  alone  to  Baltimore  and  enlisted  in  the  5th  Regi- 
ment, October  19,  1861,  to  serve  for  three  years,  or  during 
the  war.  He  was  promoted  Corporal  for  good  behavior 
and  soldierly  conduct,  May  n,  1862,  and  was  in  active 
service  with  his  company  up  to  the  engagement  of  Second 
Bull  Run,  August  30,  1862.  In  this  battle  he  received  a 
mortal  wound,  and  died  four  days  thereafter  in  the  Wolf 
Street  Hospital,  Alexandria,  Va.  His  remains  were  trans- 
ported to  his  parents'  residence  at  Flushing,  and  the  funeral 
took  place  on  September  nth. 

This  young  patriot,  an  only  son,  whose  life  was  thus  sac- 
rificed at  his  post  of  duty  at  the  early  age  of  nineteen,  was 
beloved  and  respected  by  all  his  comrades.  Sergeant  E.  L. 
Pierce  said  :  "  He  was  one  who  shared  with  me  the  perils 
of  campaign  life,  and  who  by  his  pleasant  and  brotherly 
manner,  endeared  himself  to  me  and  made  it  much  easier 
to  bear." 

On  a  beautiful  monument  erected  in  the  town  park  by 
the  citizens  of  Flushing,  in  memory  of  those  who  fell  foi 
their  country's  sake  in  the  war  of 'the  Rebellion,  may  be 
seen  engraved  with  eighty-six  others,  the  name  of  Corporal 
George  Huntsman. 

He  was  a  son  of  Professor  George  Washington  Hunts- 
man, of  the  College  of  the  City  of  New  York.  His  great- 
grandfather on  his  father's  side  fought  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  to  establish  the  Independence  of  the  States 
against  the  unjust  exactions  of  Great  Britain  ;  two  of  his 
uncles  were  in  the  war  of  1812  ;  and  his  cousins  on  both 
sides  were  in  our  late  war.  His  mother's  grandfather  was 
Samuel  Neilson,  one  of  the  noble  Irish  patriots  who  was 
imprisoned  and  exiled  during  the  closing  years  of  the  last 
century  by  the  British  Government,  the  truths  they  main- 


304        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

tained  not  being  agreeable  to  the  power  that  strove  to  annex 
Ireland  to  its  empire. 

George  Huntsman  Post,  No.  50,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, of  the  town  of  'Flushing,  was  named  to  honor  the 
memory  of  our  deceased  comrade. 

Let  us  look  at  this  field  one  year  later  through  the  eyes 
of  one  of  the  three  years'  members  of  the  old  Fifth,  who  was 
transferred  to  the  I46th  New  York  Volunteers  to  serve  out 
the  remainder  of  his  time.  The  letter  from  which  the  fol- 
lowing extract  is  made  was  addressed  to  the  writer  under 

its  date  : 

CAMP  NEAR  NEW  BALTIMORE,  VA.,  ) 
October  22,  1863.          ) 

DEAR  D When  we  arrived  at  Centreville  we  struck  off 

again  and  marched  (you  would  hardly  guess  where)  to  the  old 
Bull  Run  battle-field,  about  three  hundred  yards  from  where  our 
regiment  had  the  fight  last  year.  As  soon  as  I  had  my  supper  I 
started  over,  and  in  five  minutes  I  stood  by  the  graves  of  our  de- 
parted comrades.  Graves,  did  I  say?  it  would  be  a  disgrace  to 
call  them  such  !  Graves !  if  a  few  handfuls  of  dirt  strewn  over 
skeletons  can  be  called  such  ;  but  I  don't.  I  tell  you,  D.,  it  was 
a  heart-rending  sight,  to  see  their  skulls  kicked  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  the  feet  and  bones  of  the  dead  sticking  above  the 
ground.  There  was  one  grave  this  side  of  the  creek  which  took 
my  attention.  The  rain  had  washed  the  earth  away  from  where 
one  of  his  knees  must  have  stuck  out,  and  covering  this  joint  was 
part  of  his  red  breeches ;  there  was  quite  a  crowd  around  the 
grave,  and  they  almost  all  took  a  piece  of  what  was  left  of  the 
cloth.  While  one  of  the  men  was  looking  around,  he  overturned 
one  of  his  jacket  sleeves  ;  it  had  on  a  Sergeant's  gold  stripes  ;  at 
first  I  thought  it  was  Billy  McDowell's  body  ;  we  looked  again, 
but  could  not  find  any  diamond,  so  we  all  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  it  must  be  Sergeant  Allison,  the  color-sergeant.  We  were 
going  to  make  out  a  detail  the  next  morning  to  properly  bury  the 
remains,  but  we  marched  again  at  2  A.M. 

JOHN  MURRAY. 

The  remains  of  those  who  were  buried  on  this  field,  as 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  305 

well  as  those  in  other  fields,  were  all  collected  and  removed 
to  cemeteries  established  by  the  Government  authorities 
soon  after  the  close  of  the  war. 

"  On  Fame's  eternal  camping-ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  memory  guards  with  solemn  round 
The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 

An  admirable  description  of  the  battle  was  published  in 
The  Soldier's  Friend,  August,  1866.  It  was  written  by  Paul 
K.  Faulk,  one  of  the  "Left-armed  Corps,"  late  of  the  nth 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Hartsuff's  brigade,  which  was 
badly  cut  up  in  the  Second  Bull  Run  engagement.  He  very 
justly  places  the  Zouaves  in  the  front — where  they  fought — 
in  the  following  extract  : 

"  During  many  a  lonely  hour  visions  of  that  bloody  day  have 
trooped  up  from  the  dim  mist  of  the  dreamy  past,  and  mingling 
in  the  imaginary  fray,  I  have  passed  again  through  the  gory 

drama  and  fought  the  .battle  over  anew Three  thousand 

bayonets  gleamed  in  the  sultry  rays  of  the  sun  ;  a  grim  determi- 
nation compressed  the  muscles  on  the  dusty-bronzed  faces  of  the 
toil-worn  brigade ;  the  starry  flags  fluttered  proudly  and  defiantly  ; 
and  amid  the  wreathing  smoke,  and  shaken  by  the  deafening 
thunders  of  musketry  and  artillery  in  the  fiery  front,  the  devoted 
battalion  pressed  forward  into  the  valley  of  death.  No  martial 
music  cheers  the  weary  ranks  ;  only  the  wild  excitement  of  bat- 
tle sustains  the  half-wavering  column,  as  the  rebel  batteries  vomit 
forth  their  deadly  iron  hail,  and  the  terrible  zip,  zip,  of  the  minie 
ball  is  quenched  in  blood.  Streams  of  stragglers  pour  from  the 
smoke-curtained  front,  and  the  wounded  pass  on  to  the  rear, 
faltering  and  bleeding  at  every  step.  A  great  many  of  them 
wore  the  red  breeches  of  the  Zouaves"  .... 

TESTIMONY    FROM    THE    ENEMY. 

Charles  F.  Ballou,  formerly  a  member  of  the  44th  New 
York  Volunteers,  who  was  wounded,  and  lay  on  the  field  of 


306        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

battle,  told  the  writer  that  while  conversing  with  a  Con- 
federate soldier,  the  latter  made  the  remark  that  there  was 
one  Yankee  regiment  that  would  stand  a  bayonet  charge  ;  he 
knew  it  because  he  had  fought  against  them  at  Games'  Mill ; 
and  they  wouldn't  budge.  Ballon  asked  him  what  regiment 
it  was  ;  he  replied,  "  Them  Zouaves" 

An  officer  of  high  standing  thus  expressed  himself  in  re- 
gard to  this  battle  : 

"  The  5th  army  corps  were  treated  on  that  day,  by  whoever 
was  responsible,  in  a  way  that  should  be  his  everlasting  disgrace, 
for  they  were  made  to  assault  twice  their  numbers  in  a  good 
position,  under  the  false  idea  that  they  were  in  retreat,  and  while 
they  went  up  to  be  butchered,  the  rest  of  the  army  at  a  safe  dis- 
tance were  mere  spectators." 

After  dark,  on  the  day  of  the  battle,  what  remained  of  the 
regiment  fell  back  to  Centreville  ;  a  wearisome  march,  es- 
pecially so  after  the  trying  ordeal  through  which  they  had 
passed  on  that  day.  The  road  was  blockaded  with  wagons, 
ambulances,  stragglers,  etc.,  and  many  of  the  commands 
were  mixed  up.  But  the  men  kept  together,  notwithstanding 
nearly  all  the  companies,  or  rather  squads,  were  under  the 
command  of  Sergeants  and  Corporals,  preserving  their  forma- 
tion perfectly,  the  same  as  they  did  through  the  seven  days' 
retreat,  and  could  have  formed  a  small  line  of  battle  of  about 
100  men  at  any  moment.  They  showed  a  marked  contrast, 
in  this  respect,  to  many  of  the  other  organizations  on  the 
march  that  had  not  suffered  near  as  much  loss,  thus  reaping 
the  benefit  of  the  severe  training  they  had  received  from  the 
first  under  Colonel  Warren,  assisted  by  such  severe  disciplin- 
arians as  Colonel  Hiram  Duryea,  Winslow,  and  others. 

Colonel  Warren,  from  his  long  experience,  was  thorough 
master  of  the  details  of  military  service  in  all  its  branches, 
and  of  the  science  of  war.  He  was  severe,  but  just,  to  the 
men  as  well  as  to  the  officers,  and  held  all  alike  in  their  dif- 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  307 

ferent  spheres  to  a  strict  attention  to  their  duties.  We 
finally  arrived  at  Centreville  and  bivouacked  outside  of  the 
works. 

The  Fifth  numbered,  on  the  morning  after  the  battle  at 
Centreville,  less  than  100 ;  Companies  F  and  D,  mustering 
17  men,  were  under  the  command  of  First  Sergeant  George 
A.  Mitchell,  of  F ;  Sergeant  William  H.  Chambers  took  the 
command  of  H  and  B ;  Sergeant  Forbes  held  Company  G  ; 
Sergeant  Brogan,  Company  I  ;  and  the  other  companies  were 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Gedney,  and  Lieutenants 
Whitney  and  Chase,  who  had  not  been  in  the  engagement ; 
and  remained  about  the  same  until  they  reached  Hall's  Hill, 
where  the  few  stragglers  rejoined  us,  and  we  were  increased 
by  the  addition  of  some  new  recruits. 

Sunday,  August  31. — We  went  inside  of  the  works  and 
sent  out  a  detail,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to  bury  the  dead  and 
look  after  the  wounded.  They  suffered  greatly  for  the  want 
of  food  while  performing  their  sad  duties,  as  the  scanty  sup- 
plies they  were  able  to  procure  were  given  to  the  wounded. 

We  left  Centreville  September  2d,  about  i  A.M.,  and 
marched  to  Fairfax  Court-House,  rested  until  3  P.M.,  and 
then  resumed  the  march,  and  bivouacked  at  Ball's  Cross- 
Roads. 

While  on  the  road  near  Fairfax  during  a  brief  halt,  a  regi- 
ment came  marching  by,  and  an  unusually  tall  and  well-pro- 
portioned man  stepped  from  the  ranks ;  it  was  noticed  that 
he  carried  the  colors.  He  inquired  for  Company  G  and 
William  McDowell,  and  was  answered  that  he  was  lying 
dead  on  the  battle-field.  The  tears  started  to  his  eyes,  and 
for  a  moment  he  was  quite  overcome,  until  suddenly  becom- 
ing conscious  that  men  were  looking  at  him,  he  dashed  his 
hand  across  his  eyes,  and  joined  his  regiment,  which  was  the 
Anderson  Zouaves.  He  was  the  brother  of  our  own  la- 
mented Sergeant. 

Shortly  after  the  regiment  had  gone  into  bivouac  at  the 


308         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

side  of  the  road,  some  of  the  men  discovered  General  Mc- 
Clellan,  with  three  orderlies  and  an  aide,  riding  up  toward 
us.  He  was  on  his  way  to  the  front  from  Washington,  hav- 
ing been  reinstated  in  the  command  of  the  army,  now  that 
Washington  was  in  danger.  It  was  after  dark,  but  the  men 
recognized  him  at  once,  and  turned  out  and  gave  him  three 
rousing  cheers.  He  stopped,  and  asked  if  they  had  suffered 
much  in  the  late  engagement,  and  seemed  sorry  at  the  reply, 
as  he  held  the  regiment  in  high  esteem,  and  always  put  it 
forward  before  distinguished  visitors  to  the  army. 

During  the  march  from  Centreville,  the  enemy  were  run- 
ning a  race  on  roads  parallel  to  the  route  of  the  Union  army 
for  Washington,  and  did  get  in  the  rear,  on  the  line  of  re- 
treat at  Chantilly,  where  the  lamented  Generals  Kearney 
and  Stevens  lost  their  lives  in  the  battle  that  ensued  to  dis- 
lodge them.  When  General  Jackson,  the  Confederate  leader, 
saw  the  body  of  the  former,  he  uncovered  his  head,  as  did 
those  about  him,  and  said :  "  You  have  killed  the  bravest 
officer  in  the  Union  army ;  this  is  General  Philip  Kearney, 
who  lost  his  arm  at  the  gates  of  the  City  of  Mexico."  It 
was  a  tribute  of  respect  paid  by  one  brave  soldier  to  another, 
although  an  antagonist.  The  men  could  see  the  reflection 
of  the  sun  on  the  enemy's  bayonets  at  times  as  they  marched, 
and  skirmishers  were  out  on  the  flank  of  the  column.  A 
diminutive  Lieutenant  of  the  regular  army  had  charge  of 
those  detailed  from  the  Fifth,  and  the  boys  worried  the  poor 
man's  life  out,  hunting  them  out  of  farm-houses  on  the  route 
where  they  were  trying  to  find  a  square  meal. 

The  movements  for  about  ten  days  may  be  stated  very 
briefly  as  follows  ; 

We  marched  at  about  6  A.M.,  on  Wednesday,  the  3d,  some 
five  miles,  and  occupied  Hall's  Hill,  and  were  joined  by  a 
large  number  of  recruits,  sent  on  from  New  York.  The  ap- 
pearance of  the  men  did  not  tend  to  raise  their  spirits  much, 
as  we  were  all  in  rags  and  dirt.  On  the  4th  and  5th  we  re- 


Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  309 

mained  at  Hall's  Hill,  and  were  visited  by  citizens  from 
Washington.  6th,  marched  at  9  P.M.,  and  crossed  the  chain- 
bridge  over  the  Potomac,  and  bivouacked  near  Tenallytown, 
having  marched  nine  miles ;  and  on  the  7th  we  transferred 
our  camp  to  the  other  side  of  the  road.  8th,  started  at 
7  P.M.,  moved  six  miles  and  joined  the  division  near  Rock- 
ville.  9th,  marched  at  7  A.M.,  passing  through  Rockville, 
and  bivouacked,  nth,  marched  at  9  A.M,  eight  miles  and 
bivouacked  near  Seneca  Creek.  i2th,  marched  at  10  A.M. 
eleven  miles  to  Hyattsville,  and  bivouacked  outside  of  the 
town.  i3th,  marched  at  6  A.M.,  thirteen  miles,  crossing  the 
Monocacy,  and  bivouacked  two  miles  from  Frederick  City. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

BATTLE     OF    ANTIETAM. 

THE  CONFEDERATE  SUCCESSES  — VIRGINIA  versus  THE  COTTON  STATES— THE 
BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM — THE  ENEMY  RETIRES — GENERAL  MCCLELLAN'S  RE- 
PORT— "CROSSING  THE  POTOMAC — BATTLE  OF  SHEPARDSTOWN— TENTH  NEW 
YORK  REGIMENT  TRANSFERRED— SCARCITY  OF  SUPPLIES — A  MIXED  UNIFORM — 
PENALTIES  CF  OLD  CLOTHES — A  BREAD  SPECULATION— A  WHISKY  SMUGGLE — 
A  DRILL  CHALLENGE  ACCEPTED — CROSSING  AT  HARPER'S  FERRY— COLONEL 

O'ROURKE  OF  THE  I4OTH  NEW  YORK— SNICKER'S  GAP — WARRENTON — A  SE- 
CESSIONIST TOWN — FAREWELL  REVIEW  BY  GENKRAL  MCCLELLAN— GENERAL 
BURNSIDE  IN  COMMAND— THE  146™  NEW  YORK— WARRENTON  JUNCTION- 
SPOTTED  TAVERN — THE  HENRY  HOUSE — RESIGNATION  OF  COLONEL  HIRAM 
DURYEA — CHANGES  IN  THE  REGIMENT — BEFORE  THE  BATTLE. 

THUS  far  the  prestige  of  success  on  the  Peninsula  ap- 
peared to  rest  with  the  Confederate  army.  The  commanding 
officer,  the  military  chief  of  the  Rebellion,  was  a  Virginian, 
and  many  of  his  most  effective  Generals  were  proud  of  the 
same  distinction.  They  were  not  only  in  deep  sympathy 
with  the  objects  of  the  war  against  the  Union,  but  they  were 
thoroughly  familiar  with  the  country  which  was  made  the  great 
arena  of  this  stubborn  conflict.  They  were  VIRGINIANS,  and 
the  State  pride  which  corrupted  all  the  politics  of  the  South, 
and  which  gave  to  the  Union  a  secondary  place,  intensified 
their  determination  to  carry  the  war  to  the  extremity  almost 
of  extinction  rather  than  surrender  to  the  armies  which  con- 
tended for  our  national  life.  They  were  thus,  in  one  respect, 
masters  of  the  situation.  They  were  fighting  on  their  own 
soil,  for  their  own  heritage,  in  a  latitude  and  under  a  climate 
where  the  Northern  troops  suffered  great  losses  by  sickness  and 
death ;  the  latter  were  decimated  in  localities  and  in  an  atmos- 
phere which  to  their  antagonists  were  healthful  and  invigorat- 
ing. The  immense  disadvantages  of  the  Northern  troops,  who, 
under  other  circumstances,  would  have  achieved  a  succes- 


Battle  of  Antiet am.  311 

sion  of  victories,  gave  to  the  Confederates  the  substantial 
fruits  of  triumph,  and  of  repeated  disaster  to  the  loyal  arms  ; 
and  whi  e  these  events  did  not  dampen  the  ardor  of  the  lat- 
ter, they  inspired  the  Confederates  with  greater  confidence 
and  determination.  Their  purpose  was  to  annihilate  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  this  accomplished,  either  the  pos- 
session of  the  national  capital,  or  their  own  terms  of  separa- 
tion, they  assumed  to  be  a  certain  event. 

One  special  feature  of  the  contest  was  always  apparent. 
Whatever  amount  of  zeal  and  bravery  were  shown  by  Virgin- 
ian and  North  Carolina  regiments  on  the  field,  they  were 
fully  equaled  by  the  impetuous,  wild,  and  determined  dash 
and  tenacity  of  the  troops  from  the  South  and  South-west. 
The  regiments  from  South  Carolina  and  the  States  whose 
shores  were  washed  by  the  Gulf,  showed  an  ardor  and  a 
stubbornness  of  will  together  with  a  bitterness  of  hatred 
that  made  them  difficult  foes  to  meet  in  the  field.  They  had 
a  motive  kindred  to  that  of  the  Virginians,  but  it  was  one  of 
supreme  selfishness. 

The  leaders  of  "  the  South,"  the  cotton-growing  States, 
were  resolved  that  the  fate  of  the  Confederacy  should  be  de- 
cided on  the  battle-fields  of  the  Border  States. 

Maryland,  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  Missouri  were  to  be 
the  camp-grounds  and  the  arenas  where  the  question  should 
be  determined,  and  while  the  men  of  the  Border  States 
fought  for  their  own  soil,  the  Cotton  States  men  fought  that 
the  battle  should  not  be  transferred  to  theirs. 

Virginia  especially  was  to  be  made  the  great  theater  of  war, 
and  by  massing  all  the  power  of  the  Confederacy  on  her  soil, 
the  rest,  and  especially  the  more  remote  States,  could  "  con- 
tinue to  grow  cotton  in  peace."  The  Old  Dominion  was 
the  victim  of  a  bloody  stratagem  of  statesmanship,  when  the 
capital  of  the  Confederacy  was  transferred  from  Montgomery 
to  Richmond. 

The  resolve  to  break  the  power  of  the  Union,  and  to  die- 


312        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

tate  terms  of  separation,  at  the  doors  of  the  national  capital, 
for  the  sake  of  preserving  the  rest  of  the  Confederacy  from 
the  ruin  and  waste  of  war,  gave  to  the  Peninsular  campaign 
the  extraordinary  fury  and  the  sanguinary  and  fearful  disasters 
of  that  dark  period  in  our  history. 

How  high  the  price  that  was  paid  for  these  hopes,  and 
how  disastrously  they  were  ultimately  defeated,  was  written 
in  the  broad  and  bloody  seal  of  death,  and  the  heaps  of  slain 
who  gave  up  the  bounding  life-blood  of  their  heroic  hearts,  and 
laid  down  to  die  on  the  field  or  the  highway,  to  be  intrenched 
in  the  numberless  graves,  dug  in  a  momentary  pause  by  other 
thousands  who  were  rushing  on  to  fall  into  kindred  cemeteries 
on  other  fields.  If  nations  and  governments  have  moral  re- 
sponsibilities, where  does  the  responsibility  rest  for  these  ? 

Each  day's  march  found  us  further  from  the  scenes  of  Bull 
Run,  and  brought  us  nearer  to  the  impend:ng  struggle,  in 
which,  at  least,  the  tide  of  success  of  the  Confederate  arms 
was  to  be  tested  and  turned. 

On  Sunday,  the  i4th  of  September,  we  took  up  our  line  of 
march  at  8  A.M.,  proceeding  eight  miles,  passing  through 
Middletown,  and  bivouacked.  On  the  march  the  battle  of 
South  Mountain  was  raging,  and  we  could  see  the  smoke  as 
it  floated  into  the  blue  sky  over  the  field,  while  the  diapason 
of  the  booming  guns  was  heard  a  few  miles  in  advance  on 
the  road.  We  passed  General  McClellan  on  the  march, 
who  was  enjoying  a  cigar,  and  observing  the  troops  as  they 
filed  by.  He  said  to  us  :  "  Boys !  we  are  pressing  the 
enemy  back,  and  will  keep  doing  so." 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  i5th  we  resumed  our  march 
through  Turner's  Gap,  South  Mountain,  where  the  Con- 
federate dead  of  D.  H.  Hill's  division  lay  behind  a  stone 
wall  which  ran  along  on  the  top  of  the  mountain,  at  right 
angles  with  and  commanding  the  road.  They  also  were 
lying  on  the  main  road  on  the  other  side  of  the  pass.  They 
were  piled  in  heaps,  lying  three  or  four  deep  at  the  intersec- 


Battle  of  A  ntietam.  3 1 3 

tion  of  the  road  and  turnpike.  It  was  an  impressive  re- 
minder of  the  words  of  LONGFELLOW — 

"  Art  is  long  and  time  is  fleeting, 

And  our  hearts,  though  stout  and  brave, 
Still  like  muffled  drums  are  beating 
Funeral  marches  to  the  grave" — 

and  we  could  not  help  the  consciousness,  that  in  all  proba- 
bility before  another  setting  sun  many  of  us  would  be  lying 
on  the  bosom  of  mother  earth  in  the  silent  companionship 
of  the  dead. 

After  marching  about  nine  miles,  the  division  deployed  on 
the  left  of  the  Sharpsburg  turnpike,  near  Antietam  Creek, 
being  on  the  left  of  Richardson's  division,  which  was  the  first 
to  arrive  in  advance.* 

The  Fifth  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  advanced  through 
woods  on  the  left.  The  enemy  had  opened  with  their  artil- 
lery, and  were  throwing  shell,  some  of  which  fell  among  us, 
but  fortunately  did  not  burst.  Tidball's  2d  United  States 
and  Petits'  ist  New  York  artillery  returned  the  fire.  The 
enemy  were  posted  in  a  strong  position  on  the  high  ground 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek,  front  of  and  to  the  right 
and  left  of  Sharpsburg,  which  town  was  in  the  rear  of  their 
center  ;  their  flanks  and  rear  being  protected  by  the  Po- 
tomac River  and  Antietam  Creek,  it  being  naturally  a  strong 
position. 

On  Tuesday,  the  i6th,  we  changed  position,  and  were  un- 
der arms  all  day.  The  army  was  all  up  and  massed  each 
side  of  the  Sharpsburg  turnpike.  The  mass  of  the  enemy's 
infantry  was  concealed  behind  the  opposite  heights. 

General  Lee's  army  of  invasion  comprised  about  one  hun- 


*  General  McClellan's  Report  (p.  374)  :  "  The  division  of  General  Richardson, 
following  close  on  the  heels  of  the  retreating  foe,  halted  and  deployed  near  Antietam 
River,  on  the  right  of  the  Sharpsburg  road.  General  Sykes  leading  or.  the  division 
of  regulars  on  the  old  Sharpsburg  road,  came  up  and  deployed  to  the  left  of  General 
Richardson,  on  the  left  of  the  road." 

14 


314        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

dred  and  seventy-seven  regiments  of  infantry,  besides  cavalry 
and  artillery,  including  General  A.  P.  Hill's  division,  which 
was  temporarily  detached  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  at- 
tack upon  Harper's  Ferry.  After  this  post  was  surrendered 
to  General  Hill,  he,  by  a  forced  march,  came  up  late  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  i7th  on  Lee's  right,  in  time  to  repel  the 
hitherto  successful  advance  of  General  Burnside's  corps» 
and  which  had  been  delayed  too  long.* 

The  regulars  were  posted  near  bridge  No.  2,  and  in  the 
center  with  the  reserve  artillery.  General  Burnside's  corps 
(of  four  divisions),  comprising  the  left,  took  position  on  the 
left  of  Warren's  brigade,  their  right  covering  stone  bridge 
No.  3.  The  day  was  spent  principally  in  maneuvering  for 
positions,  skirmishing,  and  artillery  engagements. 

The  following  day,  Wednesday,  September  i7th,  was  ren- 
dered memorable  in  our  annals  by  the  engagement  at  An- 
tietam.  The  action  was  commenced  at  daylight  by  the 
skirmishers  of  the  Pennsylvania  reserves  on  the  right,  and  the 
whole  of  General  Hooker's  corps  soon  became  engaged, 
and  drove  the  enemy.  Soon  afterward  the  i2th  corps  en- 
gaged, and  General  Mansfield,  its  commander,  was  killed. 
General  HartsinT,  of  Hooker's,  was  badly  wounded.  General 
Williams  took  command  of  the  i2th  corps.  The  battle 
raged  furiously  for  two  hours.  General  Crawford,  command- 
ing the  ist  division,  i2th  corps,  was  wounded  and  left  the 
field.  General  Sedgwick's  division  of  Sumner's  corps  en- 
gaged, and  Generals  Sedgwick  and  Dana  were  wounded. 


*  Colonel  Ford,  commanding  Maryland  Heights,  an  impregnable  position,  gar- 
risoned by  3,975  men, gave  orders  to  spike  and  dismount  the  heavy  guns,  and  to  fall 
back  upon  Harper's  Ferry. 

By  the  cowardly  evacuation  of  this  stronghold,  which  commanded  our  works  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  Colonel  D.  S.  Miles,  who  was  in  command  of  the  latter  post,  was 
attacked  on  all  sides  by  the  Confederates,  and  was  himself  mortally  wounded.  On 
the  isth,  the  post  with  all  its  guns,  stores,  and  ammunition,  and  force  of  9,000  men, 
was  surrendered  to  the  enemy. 

After  an  examination  by  a  court  of  inquiry,  Colonel  Ford  was  dismissed  from  the 
service  of  the  United  States. 


Battle  of  Antietam.  315 

General  Hooker  was  also  wounded  and  obliged  to  leave  the 
field.  The  divisions  of  Generals  French  and  Richardson, 
which  completed  all  of  Simmer's  corps,  were  engaged.  Gen- 
eral Meagher  was  disabled,  and  General  Richardson  was 
mortally  wounded.  At  i  P.M.  a  part  of  General  Franklin's 
corps  engaged.  General  Porter's  5th  corps,  consisting  of 
MorelPs  and  Sykes'  divisions,  Humphrey's  division  not  yet 
having  arrived,  and  all  of  the  reserve  artillery,  were  directly 
opposite  the  center  of  the  enemy's  line.  "  It  was  necessary 
to  watch  this  part  of  the  line  with  the  utmost  vigilance,  lest 
the  enemy  should  take  an  advantage  to  assault  and  pierce 
the  line,  which  would  be  fatal." 

All  the  supply  trains  were  in  the  rear  of  this  corps,  and 
here  were  the  headquarters  of  General  McClellan  and  staff. 
In  case  of  a  retreat  or  last  resort,  Sykes'  division  would 
have  been  obliged  to  do  their  best.  Toward  the  middle  of 
the  afternoon,  two  brigades  of  Morell's  were  ordered  to  rein- 
force the  right.  Six  battalions  of  Sykes'  regulars  had  been 
thrown  across  Antietam  bridge  on  the  main  road,  to  attack 
and  drive  back  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters,  who  were  an- 
noying Pleasonton's  batteries  in  advance  of  the  bridge. 
Warren's  brigade  was  detached  to  hold  a  position  on  Burn- 
side's  right  and  rear,  so  that  Porter  was  left  at  one  time  with 
only  a  portion  of  Sykes'  division,  and  one  small  brigade  of 
Morell's,  numbering  but  a  little  over  three  thousand  men,  to 
hold  the  center. 

Sykes'  division  had  been  in  position  since  the  isth,  ex- 
posed to  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  artillery  and  sharp-shooters. 
The  2d  and  loth  regulars  compelled  the  cannoneers  of  one 
of  the  enemy's  batteries  to  abandon  their  guns ;  but  being 
few  in  number  and  unsupported,  were  not  able  to  bring 
them  off.  General  Burnside  passed  by  the  regiment  several 
times,  and  the  men  expected  to  be  ordered  to  charge  the 
stone  bridge  No.  3  and  get  wiped  out. 

General    Burnside    attacked  at  3   P.M.,   and  fought  until 


316        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

dark,  reaching  the  outskirts  of  Sharpsburg,  where  General 
Rodman  .was  mortally  wounded. 

After  General  Burnside's  forces  advanced  across  the  river, 
several  companies  of  the  Fifth  were  stationed  in  turn  as 
look-outs  near  stone  bridge  No.  3,  which  was  thickly  strewn 
with  the  dead  of  the  5ist  New  York  and  the  5ist  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  first  successfully  charged  across  it.  Its  passage 
had  been  defended  with  great  obstinacy  by  the  2d  and  2oth 
Georgia  regiments,  under  the  command  of  General  Toombs, 
who  were  posted  on  a  wooded  height  that  commanded  it, 
aided  by  the  batteries  of  General  Jones.  We  obtained  a 
fine  view  of  the  engagement,  and  watched  the  progress  of 
the  gth  New  York,  Hawkins'  Zouaves,  with  an  exciting  in- 
terest, and  were  sorry  to  see  that  gallant  body  of  men  suffer 
so  severely  on  the  field  where  they  played  so  noble  a 
part.  They  captured  a  battery  on  the  outskirts  of  Sharps- 
burg,  but  not  being  properly  supported,  were  forced  to  aban- 
don it,  after  suffering  a  fearful  loss.  Late  in  the  afternoon,  the 
brigade  was  employed  in  collecting  stragglers  from  the  im- 
mediate front  and  forming  them  into  battalions. 

Darkness  finally  put  an  end  to  this  hard-fought  and  scien- 
tific engagement,  in  which  140,000  men  and  500  pieces  of 
artillery  had  been  employed  since  daylight,  and  in  which 
about  25,000  were  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  The  tired 
Union  troops  slept  on  their  arms  conquerors.* 

About  2,700  of  the  enemy's  dead  were,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Major  Davis,  Assistant  Inspector-General,  counted 


*  General  McClellan's  Report  (p.  393)  :  "  Night  closed  the  long  and  desperately 
contested  battle  of  the  i7th-  Nearly  200,000  men  and  500  pieces  of  artillery  were 
for  fourteen  hours  engaged  in  this  memorable  battle.  We  had  attacked  the  enemy 
in  a  position  selected  by  the  experienced  engineer,  then  in  person  directing  their 
operations.  We  had  driven  them  from  their  line  on  one  flank,  and  securing  afoot- 
ing  within  it  on  the  other.  The  Army  of  the  Potomac,  notwiths  anding  the  moral 
effect  incident  to  previous  reverses,  had  achieved  a  victory  over  an  adversary  in- 
vested with  the  prestige  of  recent  success.  Our  soldiers  slept  that  night  conquer- 
ors, on  a  field  won  by  their  valor,  and  covered  with  the  dead  and  wounded  of  the 
enemy." 


Battle  of  Antietam.  317 

and  buried  upon  the  field  of  Antietam.  A  portion  of  their 
dead  had  previously  been  buried  by  the  enemy.  13  guns, 
39  colors,  15,000  stand  of  small  arms,  and  more  than  6,000 
prisoners  were  the  trophies  of  South  Mountain,  Crampton's 
Gap,  and  Antietam.  Not  a  single  gun  was  lost  on  the  Union 
side. 

The  Confederate  force  engaged  in  this  battle  comprised 
136  regiments,  besides  the  division  of  D.  H.  Hill  and  Rodes' 
brigade,  and  the  artillery.  Their  reports  show  a  loss  in  every 
regiment  of  from  one  to  253. 

We  remained  in  position  on  Thursday,  the  i8th,  the  enemy 
requesting  an  armistice,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  to  look  after 
their  wounded  and  bury  their  dead,  which  was  granted,  and 
of  which  they  took  advantage  and  retreated  by  night  across 
the  Potomac. 

On  Friday,  the  igth,  we  marched  at  9  A.M.,  passing  through 
Sharpsburg.  Along  the  route  the  dead  were  strewn  in  every 
direction  and  in  all  conceivable  positions.  One  was  caught 
in  the  crotch  of  a  tree  in  falling,  and  held  in  an  upright  posi- 
tion ;  one  young  lad,  of  not  more  than  fifteen  years  of  age, 
was  lying  among  some  others,  with  his  thighs  terribly  mangled. 
His  long  curls  fell  down  over  his  shoulders,  and  his  face  bore 
a  heavenly  smile ;  his  lips  slightly  parted  disclosed  a  set  of 
teeth  of  remarkable  beauty,  while  his  features  were  the  hand- 
somest, and  bore  the  happiest  expression,  of  any  corpse  that 
I  have  ever  seen.  He  was  a  young  Southerner,  probably  the 
pride  of  some  aristocratic  family,  who  had  sent  him  willingly 
to  the  war. 

After  marching  through  the  town  and  nearing  the  ford  on 
the  Potomac,  skirmishers  were  deployed,  and  a  battery  with 
us  opened  on  the  enemy  across  the  river.  The  fire  was  re- 
turned by  them,  and  the  shell  flew  thick  and  fast.  One  of  the 
shot  killed  Colonel  Warren's  orderly,  but  the  men  found 
partial  shelter  under  a  hill.  Two  brigades  of  the  corps  crossed 
the  Potomac  about  dark  and  captured  four  of  the  enemy's 


318         Fifth  Neiv   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

guns.  Warren's  brigade  took  position  on  the  high  ground 
near  the  river,  and  opened  on  the  enemy  on  the  other  side, 
which  obliged  them  to  crawl  out  of  the  bushes  and  run  for 
the  cover  of  a  wood  further  to  their  rear.  We  advanced 
and  took  position  on  the  tow-path  of  the  canal  on  the  banks 
of  the  river,  and  kept  up  a  scattering  fire  on  the  enemy  op- 
posite, remaining  on  picket  all  night  and  the  next  forenoon. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  2oth,  a  large  force  crossed  the 
river  on  the  right,  and  the  5th  Regiment  were  ordered  to 
ford  the  river  to  cover  their  left  flank.  Before  crossing,  the 
regiment,  which  numbered  less  than  400  men,  two-thirds  of 
whom  were  comparatively  new  men,  being  drawn  up  in  line 
on  the  tow-path  of  the  canal,  alongside  the  river,  Colonel 
Warren  said,  "  Men,  we  are  about  to  cross  the  river,"  and 
drawing  out  his  revolver,  added,  that  "if  any  man  did  not 
want  to  cross,  let  him  step  out." 

We  took  off  our  body-belts,  slung  our  cartridge-boxes  over 
our  shoulders,  and  waded  into  the  river.  It  was  difficult  and 
tiresome  work  to  ford  a  stream  200  yards  wide,  up  to  the 
waist,  with  a  rather  strong  current,  the  bottom  being  covered 
with  slippery  stones.  Some  of  the  men  lost  their  balance, 
and  had  an  involuntary  bath,  and  to  "get  off  the  line  of  the 
ford,"  meant  to  go  down  overhead  in  the  water.  After 
reaching  the  opposite  bank,  the  men  climbed  an  almost  per- 
pendicular bluff,  eighty  feet  high,  covered  with  bushes  and 
trees,  and  were  obliged  to  employ  both  hands  and  feet  to  ac- 
complish the  task.  Skirmishers  were  deployed  a  short  dis- 
tance, when  suddenly  the  enemy  opened  in  heavy  force  from 
the  wood  beyond  the  open  ground  in  front.  The  skirmishers 
were  called  in,  and  the  men  ordered  to  keep  covered  belo\v 
the  bank  of  the  bluff,  which  they  were  perfectly  willing  to  do, 
for  the  fire  was  very  heavy,  and  they  occupied  a  critical  posi- 
tion, with  the  river  in  their  rear.  But  several  batteries 
opened  from  the  high  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
over  the  heads  of  the  men,  which  covered  their  retreat  across, 


Battle  of  Ant  let  am.  319 

which  was  accomplished- in  safety.  Captain  Whitney,  in 
command  of  Company  I,  was  ordered  to  remain  with  his 
company,  and  keep  up  a  fire  on  the  enemy  to  make  them 
think  that  the  bank  was  still  occupied,  and  to  prevent  any 
of  their  sharp-shooters  from  creeping  to  the  edge  of  the  bluff 
and  shooting  the  men  as  they  forded  the  river  on  their  return. 
He  misunderstood  the  order,  so  he  said,  and  did  not  carry  it 
out,  but  fortunately  the  batteries  prevented  the  enemy  from 
advancing.  Colonel  Warren  was  much  provoked  with 
him,  and  threatened  to  shoot  him  on  the  spot.  The  Colonel 
took  command  in  person,  and  waded  the  stream,  on  foot, 
with  the  rest,  and  on  the  return  stood  in  the  center,  and  con- 
tinually warned  the  men  not  to  get  off  the  line  of  the  ford. 

This  was  the  battle  of  Shepardstown,  in  which  the  troops 
on  the  right  had  a  severe  engagement  with  Gregg's,  Fender's, 
and  Archer's  brigades,  and  lost  some  800  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  prisoners.  The  enemy's  loss  was  261.  After  recrossing 
the  river  we  took  up  a  position  on  the  canal  and  remained 
on  picket  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  exchanging  shots  with 
the  enemy  during  the  2ist  and  22d.  While  remaining  on 
this  post  one  afternoon,  Colonel  Warren  gave  the  regiment 
a  drill  on  the  tow-path  of  the  canal,  while  the  enemy's  pick- 
ets amused  themselves  by  firing  at  the  men  and  officers.  He 
also  sent  a  squad  of  the  drummers  across  the  river,  for  pun- 
ishment for  being  timid  under  fire,  under  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Guthrie.  to  bring  over  a  twelve-pound  brass  piece  left 
by  the  enemy  in  their  late  retreat.  The  Lieutenant  armed 
himself  with  a  ramrod  to  give  the  boys  a  gentle  reminder 
once  in  a  while  if  it  was  necessary.  The  boys  came  back 
in  good  order,  dragging  the  cannon  after  them,  and  reported 
that  they  saw  some  of  the  enemy.  Subsequently,  Sergeant 
Crowley,  of  Company  E,  with  a  squad  of  his  company,  was 
sent  over  to  a  burnt  mill,  to  bring  over  a  caisson,  while  the 
regiment  in  the  meantime  drew  up  on  the  bank  to  cover 
them.  They  had  no  sooner  landed  on  the  other  side  than 


320        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

some  shots  were  fired  at  them,  and  a  brisk  skirmish  ensued 
around  the  mill,  in  which  the  Sergeant  received  a  bad  wound 
in  the  leg,  but  his  men  succeeded  in  recrossing,  carrying  him 
with  them. 

On  Tuesday,  the  23d,  we  were  relieved  by  the  regulars, 
after  three  days  and  nights  of  not  very  pleasant  duty,  during 
which  it  rained  part  of  the  time.  We  went  into  camp,  with- 
out tents  or  shelter  of  any  kind,  near  Sharpsburg,  about 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  Potomac.  General  McClel- 
Ian  had  his  headquarters  about  a  mile  from  Sharpsburg,  and, 
as  usual,  Sykes'  division  lay  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

After  the  battle  of  Antietam  a  recruit,  one  of  those  who 
had  joined  the  regiment  about  a  week  previous,  wandered 
off  to  see  what  he  could  discover  that  was  new.  In  his 
rambles  he  came  to  a  large  house,  and  seeing  an  open  win- 
dow, he  approached  it  to  gratify  his  curiosity  as  to  what  was 
inside  of  it,  when,  as  his  head  raised  above  the  sill,  the  gory 
stump  of  a  man's  arm  was  thrust  in  his  face,  with  the  re- 
mark, "Young  man,  take  this  away  and  bury  it."  That 
recruit  returned  to  the  regiment  a  sick  man.  He  had  ran 
across  one  of  the  hospitals  where  the  wounded'  were  being 
attended  to. 

On  Wednesday,  the  24th,  at  evening  parade,  the  following 
list  of  promotions  was  read  to  the  regiment : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIFTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
CAMP  NEAR  SHARPSBURG,  MD., 

September  23,  1862. 
\Special  Orders,  No.  130.] 

The  folio wing~-named  persons  are  hereby  appointed  to  fill  the 
vacancies  existing  in  the  Fifth  Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers, 
occasioned  by  losses  in  battle,  resignations,  promotions,  etc. 
These  appointments  are  made  for  gallant  and  meritorious  con- 
duct on  the  field  of  battle.  These  officers  will  be  obeyed  and 
respected  accordingly : 


Camp  near  Sharpsburg.  321 

Captain  Cleveland  Winslow  to  be  Major,  vice  H.  D.  Hull, 
promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  James  H.  Lounsberry  to  be  Captain,  rice  G. 
Carr,  promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  H.  G.  O.  Eichler  to  be  Captain,  vice  Winslow, 
promoted. 

First  Lieutenant  T.  W.  Cartwright  to  be  Captain,  vice  Lewis, 
killed  in  battle  August  30. 

First  Lieutenant  R.  E.  Prime  to  be  Captain,  vice  Hager,  killed 
in  battle  August  30. 

Second  Lieutenant  Henry  Keyser  to  be  Adjutant,  vice  Sovereign, 
killed  in  battle  August  30. 

Second  Lieutenant  A.  S.  Chase  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  vice 
Lounsberry,  promoted. 

Second  Lieutenant  T.  R.  Martin  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  vice 
Eichler,  promoted. 

Second  Lieutenant  R.  M.  Gedney  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  vice 
Cartwright,  promoted. 

Second  Lieutenant  Wm.  Hoffman  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  vice 
Prime,  promoted. 

Sefgeant  G.  W.  Wannemacher  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  vice 
Dumont,  resigned. 

Sergeant  George  Guthrie  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  vice  Keyser, 
promoted. 

Sergeant  Wm.  H.  Chambers  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  vice 
Chase,  promoted. 

Sergeant  Philip  L.  Wilson  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  vice 
Martin,  promoted. 

Private  Gordon  Winslow,  Jr.,  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  vice 
Gedney,  promoted. 

By  command  of 

FITZ  JOHN  PORTER, 

FRED.  T.  LOCKE,  Major-General. 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

On  Thursday,  September  25th,  the  loth  New  York  Regi- 
ment was  transferred  to  Max  Weber's  brigade.  During 
the  time  they  had  been  in  company  with  the  Fifth  we  had 
always  harmonized  and  worked  well  together.  We  had 


322        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

passed  through  some  pleasant  as  well  as  some  very  hard 
experiences,  and  the  men  heartily  wished  their  late  comrades 
success.* 

Colonel  Warren  left  on  a  flying  visit  to  New  York  via. 
Washington.  Lieutenant-Colonel  H.  Duryea  had  just 
returned  from  his  furlough,  having  been  dangerously  ill. 
We  were  glad  to  see  him  in  command  again,  notwithstanding 
the  strict  discipline  he  always  maintained,  as  we  knew  it  was 
for  the  common  good  ;  but  especially  so,  as  we  were  relieved 
from  a  number  of  impracticable  orders  that  were  issued  by 
the  Major.  These  were  :  calls  every  half  hour  through  the  day, 
which  made  the  men  feel  that  they  were  treated  worse  than 
a  lot  of  convicts,  and  without  cause.  For  instance,  in  order 
to  wash  ourselves,  we  were  obliged  to  procure  an  order  to 
pass  to  the  spring,  signed  by  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
company,  and  countersigned  by  the  Adjutant  or  Major. 
The  consequence  was,  that  it  operated  as  a  prohibition  to 
wash  at  all.  Water-calls  were  sounded  several  times  a  day. 
When  those  who  wished  to  fill  their  canteens  or  the  iron 
pails,  holding  several  gallons,  for  cooking  purposes,  they 
were  obliged  to  fall  in  line,  and  march  single  file,  under  com- 
mand of  an  officer,  keeping  step  down  to  the  spring  and 
back  again  ;  to  obtain  wood,  we  were  obliged  to  go  through 
the  same  form,  and  he  was  actually  driving  men  to  desert 
every  day,  to  escape  this  petty  and  unwarranted  tyranny. 
Discipline  should  be  enforced  ;  but  these  acts  were  crushing 
out  all  the  self-respect  and  manhood  of  an  intelligent  and 
educated  body  of  men,  who  felt  that  they  were  treated  like 
galley-slaves. 

Since  leaving  Harrison's  Landing,  August  i4th,  when  the 


*  The  Tenth  subsequently  fought  bravely  at  Fredericksburg,  and  when  they 
were  mustered  out  after  two  years'  service,  .six  companies  were  recruited  to  serve  for 
three  years,  or  during  the  war,  and,  under  Colonel  Hopper,  acquired  an  excellent  war 
record,  and  served  till  the  collapse  of  the  Rebellion.  Colonel  Hopper  served  all 
through  the  war,  and  was  the  only  officer  of  the  old  organization  who  was  mustered 
out  with  the  three  years'  battalion  at  the  end  of  the  war. 


Camp  near  Sharpsburg.  323 

knapsacks  were  sent  away  on  a  vessel,  the  men  had  been 
without  a  change  of  clothing.  All  they  possessed  was  on 
their  backs.  They  were  destitute  of  soap  for  about  a  month, 
and  sometimes  had  nothing  to  eat.  Only  a  few  had  shelter 
tents,  and  consequently  they  passed  the  nights  miserably,  as 
the  temperature  after  the  sun  went  down  was  chilly,  accom- 
panied with  heavy  dews ;  and  in  addition  to  all  these  dis- 
comforts, they  had  not  received  any  pay  for  five  months. 
The  men  all  being  in  rags,  presented  a  very  grotesque  ap- 
pearance. Their  own  clothing  being  worn  out,  they  were 
dressed  up  in  the  cast-off  clothing  of  other  regiments  ;  some 
were  dressed  in  dark-blue  and  others  in  light-blue  pants ;  some 
in  jackets,  some  had  long-tailed  coats  and  blouses,  and  others 
boasted  of  nothing  but  a  few  rags  to  cover  their  under-clothes. 
We  mustered,  all  told,  including  recruits,  350,  of  which  only 
93  were  original  two  years'  men.  There  were  several  hun- 
dreds on  the  rolls,  but  they  were  lying  in  hospitals,  detailed, 
etc.  They  belonged  to  that  army,  all  in  good  condition,  ac- 
cording to  General  Halleck  (who  was  comfortably  seated  in 
Washington,  planning  campaigns  on  paper),  who  were  ready 
and  eager  to  march  immediately  on  a  winter's  campaign  and 
take  Richmond,  from  the  vicinity  of  which  they  had  been  re- 
called, probably  by  his  advice,  some  two  months  previous, 
when  they  were  in  better  condition  and  spirit  to  fight  than 
they  were  at  this  time. 

On  Friday,  the  26th,  we  were  reviewed  by  the  President, 
ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  He  looked  care-worn.  He  was  in 
company  with  General  McClellan,  who  was  smoking  a  cigar. 
The  men  had  overcoats  on,  which  had  been  distributed  a  few 
days  previous,  to  hide  the  rags.  The  President  expressed 
his  approbation  to  the  commanding  officers  at  the  rapidity 
with  which  the  different  movements  were  executed.  The 
bayonet  drill  particularly  engrossed  his  attention. 

Our  camp  at  Sharpsburg  remained  quiet  for  some  time, 
and  the  men  were  in  fair  spirits.  We  drilled  for  five  hours  a 


324         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

day,  for  which  we  had  to  thank  the  recruits.  About  the  5th 
of  October  we  received  a  piece  of  soap,  but  its  size  was  an 
aggravation — it  was  half  an  inch  thick,  cut  from  an  ordinary 
bar,  two  bars  having  been  allowed  to  a  company.  The  offi- 
cers and  men  anxiously  expected  the  Paymaster,  and  the 
sutlers  scented  him  afar  off,  and  were  plenty,  but  still  there 
was  no  money  to  buy  with,  and  no  credit.  Every  few  hours 
some  one  varied  the  decorum  of  our  situation  by  raising  a 
false  alarm,  and  shouted,  "  Here  comes  the  Paymaster ! " 
Forthwith  there  was  a  rush  out  of  holes  and  burrows,  only  to 
find  it  a  good-humored  joke.  Those  who  used  tobacco — 
which  was  the  case  with  nearly  all  the  regiment — were  suffer- 
ing for  the  want  of  it,  and  no  change  of  clothing  having  yet 
come  to  our  relief,  our  condition  was  getting  to  be  more 
than  ever  a  serious  matter. 

The  "status"  of  the  men  under  this  state  of  things,  from 
the  long-continued  use  of  their  garments  without  change,  is 
more  appropriate  for  the  recollection  of  the  sufferer,  than  for 
description  by  the  historian.  It  is  enough  to  say  that  part 
of  the  daily  employment  of  the  men,  in  the  retirement  of  the 
woods,  stripped  of  their  clothing  and  hunting  for  vermin,  was 
more  picturesque  than  poetic,  and  is  left  to  the  imagination 
of  the  reader. 

On  Saturday,  Oct.  4th,  an  order  came  to  discharge  all 
who  were  physically  disqualified  for  effective  service  ;  a  few 
of  the  original  men  of  our  regiment  were  of  this  class,  and 
some  of  the  latest  recruits.  An  order  had  also  been  pro- 
mulgated from  the  War  Department,  directing  that  all  who 
had  not  been  accounted  for  during  the  past  sixty  days,  be 
dropped  from  the  rolls  as  deserters.  This  placed  the  word 
"  deserter  "  against  the  name  of  many  brave  men  who  lost  their 
lives  in  battle.  There  may  have  been  a  "  military  neces- 
sity" for  such  an  order,  but  it  worked  a  great  injustice  to 
many  who  died  alone  and  unknown  in  by-places  where  they 
lingered  out  weary  hours,  perhaps  days,  of  pain  before  their 


Camp  near  Sharpsburg.  325 

eyes  were  closed  in  death,  beyond  the  relief  that  never  came 
— and  others  who  died  unrecognized  in  the  hospitals  or  the 
prisons  of  the  enemy.  It  is  past  now.  God  grant  that  no 'such 
" necessity"  may  ever  again  overshadow  the  republic.  An 
order  to  shoot  deserters,  and  cashier  absentee  officers  would 
have  strengthened  the  army  materially,  and  saved  money  as 
well  as  many  valuable  lives. 

Near  our  camp  was  a  farm-house,  whose  occupant  was 
supposed  to  be  a  good  Union  man.  The  enemy  had  cleared 
out  all  his  horses,  cattle,  wagons,  etc.,  and  the.  Union  troops 
burnt  his  rail  fences  for  fuel ;  so  that  between  the  two  armies, 
he  was  a  heavy  sufferer.  Near  this  house  was  a  spring  which 
supplied  the  regiment,  and  one  day  a  dilapidated-looking  turn- 
out, driven  by  a  countryman,  made  its  appearance.  Some  of  the 
boys  were  there  filling  their  canteens  from  the  spring,  when  they 
asked  him  what  he  had  in  the  wagon  ;  for,  being  a  covered 
one,  they  could  not  see  into  it.  He  stopped  and  said  that 
he  and  the  old  woman  had  concluded  to  go  into  a  bread  spec- 
ulation, and  he  had  his  wagon  full  to  sell  to  the  "sojurs." 
Bread  being  a  great  luxury  compared  with  the  hard-tack, 
two  or  three  of  the  boys  got  around  him  and  asked  the  price. 
"  Let's  see  the  size  of  the  loaves  ?  is  it  fresh  ?  "  said  one  of 
them,  as  he  bit  off  a  large  piece  from  a  loaf.  Just  then  the 
old  man's  attention  was  drawn  to  the  rear  of  his  cart,  by  see- 
ing about  a  dozen  hands,  each  clutching  a  loaf  of  bread.  He 
skipped  around,  when  the  boys  in  front  made  a  levy,  and 
so  it  was  kept  up,  until  in  sheer  desperation  he  sprang  into 
his  wagon  and  drove  off  down  the  road  at  his  best  speed. 
One  of  the  boys  called  out :  "  Here,  mister  !  aint  you  going 
to  stop  for  your  money  ?"  But  he  only  went  the  faster,  and 
one  called  out  :  "Well,  if  you  aint  got  time  to  wait,  just 
send  in  your  bill  to  Company  J,  it's  all  the  same." 

The  decline  of  the  year  was  bringing  the  autumnal  change 
in  the  season.  The  weather  was  becoming  colder,  and  we 
were  visited  Sunday,  Oct.  i2th,  by  a  rain-storm,  which  add- 


326        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

ed  nothing  to  the  comforts  of  the  camp.  The  regiment  was 
under  arms,  and  the  men  ordered  not  to  leave  their  company 
streets,  as  Stuart's  cavalry  were  in  the  rear  of  the  army. 

On  Thursday,  the  i6th,  we  marched  at  i  P.M.  to  Black- 
burn's Ford,  on  the  Potomac,  for  picket  duty.  Detachments 
from  the  corps  made  a  reconnoissance  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river.  It  rained  hard  during  the  night,  and  the  men 
passed  a  disagreeable  tour  of  guard  duty.  The  following 
day  we  were  relieved  from  picket  at  6  P.M.,  after  being  on 
duty  for  thirty  hours,  and  we  returned  to  camp. 

A  detail  from  the  regiment  went  on  picket  again  on  Sun- 
day, the  1 9th.  The  Lieutenant-Colonel  was  absent  again 
sick,  and  Major  Winslow  was  in  command.  The  men  were 
happy,  having  received  a  supply  of  clothing,  and  confidently 
went  through  a  general  inspection.  Captain  Burnett,  senior 
Captain,  and  Lieutenant  Agnus,  had  resigned,  the  latter  to 
accept  a  Captaincy  in  the  i65th  New  York,  2d  battalion  of 
Duryee's  Zouaves.  Adjutant  Marvin  was  on  a  visit  to  New 
York  to  recruit  himself  and  the  regiment. 

On  Friday,  the  24th,  we  were  visited  by  a  severe  storm  of 
rain,  which  lasted  for  two  days,  but  the  men  were  all  in  fine 
spirits  notwithstanding,  as  they  had  received  four  months' 
pay,  and  could  purchase  some  luxuries  (so-called)  from  the 
sutlers,  who  had  been  patiently  waiting  to  relieve  them  of 
their  spare  cash. 

Thirteen  men  deserted  on  the  capital  they  had  obtained, 
having  money  enough  to  pay  their  way.  Monday,  the  27th, 
was  clear  and  cold,  after  the  storm,  blowing  hard,  and  nearly 
all  the  men  were  full  of  spirits.  During  the  night,  the  officers 
were  surprised  to  hear  an  unusual  noise  in  the  usually  quiet 
camp,  and  the  officer  of  the  day,  as  well  as  the  guard,  were 
astounded.  It  was  very  evident  that  the  men  had  procured 
whisky  somewhere,  and  in  large  quantity.  The  sutlers  were 
not  allowed  to  sell  it,  and  the  men  had  not  been  out  of 
camp  ;  there  had  not  been  any  suspicious  persons  about,  and 


Camp  near  Sharpsburg.  327 

where  did  they  get  the  whisky  ?  Such  a  complete  demoral- 
ization had  never  happened  before,  not  even  in  Baltimore, 
where  the  facilities  of  a  large  city  afforded  every  opportunity 
for  a  debauch.  Fighting,  singing,  and  general  uproar  pre- 
vailed, even  "  taps  "  being  almost  entirely  unheeded.  The 
next  morning  empty  quart  bottles  were  lying  about  in  pro- 
fusion. The  officers  never  knew  the  secret  of  it ;  but  a  party, 
being  no  other  than  the  well-known  "  Nicaragua  Riley,"  had 
been  around  a  little  while  before  with  a  wagon-load  of  bread, 
and  a  part  of  the  loaves  had  been  cut  open  and  examined, 
but  nothing  had  been  found  inside  of  them.  Yet  this  was  the 
man  who  had  supplied  the  liquor  used  the  night  before.  Two 
barrels  containing  quart  bottles  of  whisky  were  sold  for  two 
dollars  a  bottle  in  that  very  camp.  It  had  cost  him  thirty- 
five  cents  a  gallon,  and  he  had  come  around  to  get  his 
money  "  in  a  lump,"  as  much  as  to  sell  his  bread ;  it  was 
handed  to  him  by  an  Orderly  Sergeant. 

The  clear  and  bracing  morning  of  Tuesday,  the  28th,  found 
us  under  marching  orders.  We  had  been  drilling  hard  every 
day  under  Major  Winslow,  who  followed  in  the  steps  of  his 
predecessors.  But  the  exercise  kept  the  men  warm,  and 
they  liked  it  on  that  account. 

While  staying  in  this  camp  one  of  the  regiments  in,  our 
corps,  and,  moreover,  one  of  the  best  fighting  regiments  in  the 
service,  between  whom  and  our  own  great  respect  was  recip- 
rocated, came  over  to  drill  on  a  field  next  to  that  which  the 
Fifth  used  for  the  same  purpose.  They  were  doing  their  best. 
Our  Major  looked  upon  the  proceeding  as  a  challenge — the 
men  certainly  did.  Accordingly  the  drill-call  was  sounded, 
and  after  forming,  we  were  marched  out,  and  were  soon  going 
through  the  movements  like  clock-work.  It  was  not  five 
minutes  before  the  commanding  officer  of  the  other  regiment 
was  so  much  interested  in  the  movements  of  the  Fifth  that  he 
ordered  his  men  to  a  rest,  and  they  remained  spectators,  and 
drilled  no  more.  At  the  guard-mount  of  the  Fifth  there  was 


328         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

always  a  concourse  of  officers  from  different  regiments  to 
witness  it. 

The  benevolent  party  who  sold  the  bread  to  the  men  came 
around  again  to  sell  pies,  which,  however,  were  in  a  greatly 
demoralized  condition,  having  suffered  fearfully  by  the  trans- 
portation ;  the  materials  were  there,  but  somewhat  mixed. 
It  was  dealt  out  at  twenty-five  cents  for  a  handful  of  the 
mush,  which  consisted  of  about  a  dozen  different  kinds  of 
pastry,  and  there  was  great  pushing  and  scrambling  to  pur- 
chase it.  He  was  closely  watched,  but  that  did  not  prevent 
the  necessary  arrangements  from  being  made  for  another 
smuggle  of  whisky,  under  the  cover  of  darkness. 

It  was  clear  and  pleasant  the  next  day,  the  29th.  The 
officers  and  men  were  light-headed.  We  had  company  drill 
in  the  morning,  and  battalion  drill  in  the  afternoon,  to  straight- 
en up.  A  great  deal  of  drunkenness  was  noticed  in  camp  the 
previous  night,  the  underground  railroad  having  evidently 
been  running  its  train  again.  But  the  engineer  made  no 
money  by  this  venture.  When  he  came  around  for  it,  having 
nothing  to  sell,  he  was  told  by  the  orderly,  who  had  acted  on 
the  previous  occasion,  that  the  stuff  had  been  seized,  and 
that  he  was  suspected  and  ordered  to  be  arrested.  On 
hearing  this,  he  left  in  a  very  disrespectful  and  hasty  man- 
ner, without  waiting  to  hear  any  further  explanations.  He 
had  tasted  military  justice  before,  on  at  least  one  occasion, 
and  wanted  no  more  of  it.  The  orderly  quietly  pocketed 
the  money,  and  went  into  his  tent  to  take  a  drink. 

We  left  camp  on  Thursday,  the  3oth,  at  4  P.M.,  at  the  close 
of  a  warm  and  cloudy  day,  marched  until  2  A.M.  of  the  3ist, 
and  bivouacked  in  Pleasant  Valley,  near  Brownsville,  after 
a  slow  and  tedious  march  of  nine  miles  over  the  mountains. 
The  night  was  cold  and  disagreeable,  but  the  morning  was 
clear  and  warm.  We  started  again,  moving  at  6  A.M.  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile,  when  we  halted  four  hours  on  the 
road.  Orders  to  advance  being  given,  we  again  fell  in,  and 


Snicker's  Gap.  329 

after  marching  about  eight  miles,  passing  tb  rough  Brownsville, 
we  bivouacked  near  Weverton,  Md.  We  had  a  bayonet  drill 
on  dress  parade.  We  were  mustered  in  for  two  months'  pay, 
and  Captain  Prime's  resignation  was  announced,  to  enable 
him  to  accept  a  Lieutenant-Colonelcy  in  another  organiza- 
tion. 

Saturday,  November  ist,  found  us  in  marching  order  at 
7  A.M.  ;  we  crossed  the  Potomac  on  a  pontoon  bridge  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  where  we  stopped,  and  were  supplied  with 
knapsacks,  which  we  had  not  seen  since  leaving  Harrison's 
Landing,  two  and  a  half  months  before ;  we  picked  up  the 
genial  "Butch"  and  some  others,  who  had  been  sent  from 
the  former  camp  to  labor  on  the  public  works,  to  pay  for  a 
"  frolic."  We  resumed  our  march  and  crossed  the  Shenan- 
doah,  and  after  tramping  eight  miles  through  Loudotin  Val- 
ley, bivouacked  on  the  Leesburg  turnpike,  near  Neversville. 
We  were  joined  by  the  i4oth  New  York,  Colonel  O'Rourke, 
a  regular  officer  and  a  graduate  of  West  Point.  He  was  a 
fine  officer,  and  was  subsequently  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  in  the  terrible  hand  to  hand  conflict  with  Hood's 
Texans  on  the  summit  of  Little  Bald  Top.  They  were  a  tine 
body  of  men  generally,  but  new  to  the  service  ;  they  were 
enlisted  from  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  and  were  at  this 
time  about  850  strong.  Sunday,  November  2d,  marched  at 
7  A.M.,  passing  through  Hillsborough  and  Snickersvile,  and 
relieved  Sumner's  corps  at  Snicker's  Gap,  arriving  there 
about  IT  P.M.,  after  a  tedious  stretch  of  sixteen  miles.  We 
bivouacked  in  line  of  battle  behind  stacked  arms,  on  top 
of  the  mountain.  It  was  a  very  cold,  windy  night.  Sykes' 
division  was  ordered  to  hold  the  pass  over  the  Blue  Ridge 
through  the  Gap.  The  roaojs  over  which  we  had  marched 
were  rough  and  stony,  water  was  scarce,  and  the  last  two 
miles  being  on  the  ascent  all  the  way,  was  very  tiresome 
work  after  a  full  day's  marching.  At  one  time  before  reach- 
ing the  foot  of  the  mountain  we  were  deployed  in  line  of 


33O        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

battle,  expecting  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy  who  were  in  the 
vicinity.  Three  men  dropped  out  on  the  last  two  miles  to 
make  their  coffee,  after  which  they,  kept  on.  An  officer  on 
horseback  halted  them  by  a  sudden  challenge,  and  asked 
them  where  they  were  going  and  what  regiment  they  belonged 
to.  It  was  so  dark  he  could  not  see  their  uniform.  When 
they  answered  him,  he  told  them  they  would  soon  be  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy  on  that  road,  and  gave  them  proper  di- 
rections. He  had  been  placing  pickets.  They  lost  their  way 
in  the  darkness,  and  lay  down  by  a  stone  wall  to  rest.  While 
dozing  into  sleep,  one  of  the  pickets  close  by  made  a  chal- 
lenge, and  receiving  no  answer,  fired  his  piece.  They  heard 
a  cry,  "  I  am  shot !  "  and  "  Corporal  of  the  Guard  !  "  A 
straggling  soldier  who  failed  to  answer  the  challenge  had 
been  fatally  shot.  Our  boys  found  they  had  made  a  narrow 
escape.  The  3d  was  a  cold,  blustering  day,  and  we  were 
still  in  line  of  battle,  with  strong  pickets  posted,  expecting  an 
attack.  The  men  killed  a  lot  of  sheep  found  running  at 
large  about  the  mountain  tops,  and  had  plenty  of  mutton  for 
the  first  time  in  eighteen  months.  Boxes  of  crackers  were 
carried  three-fourths  of  a  mile  by  details  of  men  on  their 
backs  from  the  wagons,  as  they  could  not  ascend  any  further. 
One  of  the  companies  went  down  the  mountain  toward  the 
Shenandoah  River,  and  had  a  brush  with  the  enemy's  pickets 
who  were  on  the  other  side  of  it. 

The  following  morning  broke  clear  and  we  had  a  pleasant 
day.  The. enemy  was  in  sight  in  the  valley,  and  heavy  firing 
was  heard  in  the  east  in  the  direction  of  Warrenton.  A 
reconnoissance  was  made  down  the  mountain,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Sargent,  of  General  Porter's  staff,  to 
Castleman's  Ford,  Shenandoah  River.  He  had  with  him  a 
squadron  of  the  ist  Massachusetts  cavalry  (Captain  Pratt), 
two  battalions  of  the  i4th,  and  battalions  of  the  6th  and 
7th  U.  S.  Infantry.  When  they  had  proceeded  about  two 
miles  they  were  fired  on  by  a  masked  battery  of  ten  guns 


Snicker  s  Gap.  331 

posted  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  After  some  prelim- 
inary skirmishing,  Captain  Pratt  was  shot  through  the  heart, 
a  Lieutenant  of  the  i4th  Infantry  was  wounded,  and  about 
forty  of  the  men  were  killed  or  wounded  ;  but  they  ad- 
vanced to  the  river.  The  Fifth  were  ordered  under  arms  at 
the  first  firing,  but  their  services  were  not  required. 

The  regiment  was  on  picket  duty  on  the  5th,  and  we  could 
see  the  enemy,  and  were  obliged  to  be  extremely  vigilant. 
Very  heavy  firing  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Ashby's  Gap, 
south  of  us.  In  the  expectation  of  a  night  attack,  double 
pickets  were  posted.  The  night  fell  on  us  cold  and  cloudy. 
Notwithstanding  the  apparent  preparations  for  an  attack, 
everything  remained  quiet  during  the  night,  and  at  7  A.M. 
on  Thursday,  the  6th,  we  commenced  a  march  of  about 
eighteen  miles,  passing  through  Middleburgh,  and  bivouacked 
about  one  mile  distant  in  the  woods.  While  passing  through 
"the  town,  which  was  thoroughly  secessionist,  an  old  lady 
stood  at  her  door  leaning  on  a  cane,  and  called  out  very 
earnestly,  in  a  cracked  voice,  and  shaking  her  head,  that  "  it 
was  no  use  to  go  that  way,  you  will  all  come  back  again." 

No  males  were  seen  in  the  town  except  cripples,  paroled 
and  wounded  prisoners,  in  Confederate  uniform,  awaiting 
exchange.  All  the  other  male  inhabitants  were  in  the  Con- 
federate army. 

We  marched  the  next  morning  at  seven  o'clock.  It  com- 
menced snowing  at  nine,  and  continued  through  the  day. 
We  marched  about  eight  miles,  and,  after  the  usual  inspec- 
tion of  arms,  encamped  near  White  Plains.  Company  A 
was  sent  on  picket  to  the  rear,  to  guard  against  a  surprise 
by  Mosby  and  his  men.  The  night  was  bitterly  cold,  from 
which  the  men  suffered  severely,  but  they  kindled  large 
fires,  and,  with  the  addition  of  hay  from  some  stacks  near 
by,  made  themselves  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  would 
permit. 

A  squad  of  the  new  regiment,  who  had  not  yet  become 


332         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

accustomed  to  the  grindstone,  made  a  foray  on  a  sutler's 
wagon  which  happened  to  be  near  General  Warren's  quarters 
on  the  road.  He  sprang  among  them  and  whacked  them  well 
with  his  sword,  much  to  their  astonishment.  They  became 
well  toned  down,  after  a  little  training,  like  the  rest  of  us. 

On  Saturday,  the  8th,  the  reveille  woke  us  at  4.30  A.M. 
We  marched  at  eight  o'clock,  advancing  nine  miles  over  bad 
roads  through  White  Plains,  and  bivouacked  near  New  Balti- 
more. The  next  day,  Sunday,  the  Qth,  we  marched  at  8  A.M., 
about  two  miles  through  Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  bivouacked 
within  one  mile  of  Warrenton,  and  in  sight  of  the  spires  of 
that  strong  secessionist  town.  The  weather  was  fine,  but 
clear  and  cold.  We  were  drawn  up  in  line  on  the  beautiful 
morning  of  the  loth,  but  our  hearts  were  sad.  We  had  a 
farewell  review  from  General  McClellan.  The  men  received 
him  with  nine  hearty  cheers,  as  he  always  had  their  entire 
confidence,  and  all  were  sad  at  parting  with  him. 

At  evening  parade  the  farewell  address  of  our  beloved 
Commander-in-Chief  was  read  off,  which  was  as  follows  : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC, 

CAMP  NEAR  RECTORTOWN,  November  7,  1862. 
OFFICERS  AND  SOLDIERS  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC  : 
— An  order  of  the  President  devolves  upon  Major-General 
Burnside  the  command  of  this  army.  In  parting  from  you  I  can 
not  express  the  love  and  gratitude  I  bear  you.  As  an  army,  you 
have  grown  up  in  my  care.  In  you  I  have  never  found  doubt  or 
coldness.  The  battles  you  have  fought  under  my  command  will 
proudly  live  in  our  nation's  history.  The  glory  you  have  achieved, 
our  mutual  perils  and  fatigues,  the  graves  of  our  comrades  fallen 
in  battle  and  by  disease,  the  broken  forms  of  those  whom  wounds 
and  sickness  have  disabled — the  strongest  associations  which  can 
exist  among  men — unite  us  still  by  an  indissoluble  tie.  We  shall 
ever  be  comrades  in  supporting  the  Constitution  of  our  country 
and  the  nationality  of  its  people. 

G.  B.  MCCLELLAN, 

Major-General  U.  S,  Army. 


On  the  March  to  Fredcricksburg.  333 

The  regiment  did  not  expect  to  make  a  halt  so  soon,  but 
were  not  sorry  to  have  a  litte  rest.  A  supply  of  straw  had 
been  appropriated  by  the  men,  which  they  were  fortunate 
enough  to  discover,  thereby  adding  much  to  their  comfort. 
The  wind  was  blowing  a  gale  from  the  north,  and  the  sky 
was  overcast  with  clouds,  giving  promise  of  another  snow- 
storm. 

The  men  endured  the  weather  very  well,  but  the  horses 
suffered  severely.  The  nth  was  a  clear,  pleasant  day; 
another  review  was  held,  and  General  Fitz  John  Porter  took 
leave  of  his  command.  He  looked  pale,  and  evidently  was 
anxious  and  ill  at  ease.  The  men  gave  him  nine  hearty 
cheers,  and  the  common  remark  among  them  was,  "Another 
good  General  gone." 

On  Wednesday,  November  i2th,  General  Ambrose  E. 
Burnside  took  command  of  the  army.  On  the  i3th,  the 
I46th  Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Garrard,  a  regular  officer,  joined  the  brigade.  It 
was  a  fine  body  of  men,  enlisted  from  the  Western  and 
Central  portion  of  the  State,  and  about  850  strong.  This 
regiment  made  for  itself,  by  its  active  service  with  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  to  the  close  of  the  war,  a  splendid  war 
record.  Their  long  list  of  killed  and  wounded  tells  the  story 
of  the  hard  fighting  they  did  at  Gettysburg  and  during 
Grant's  great  campaign,  which  closed  with  the  capture  of 
Richmond. 

On  Saturday,  the  i5th,  the  Fifth  was  visited  about  dark 
by  General  A.  Durye'e  and  aides.  As  soon  as  he  was  rec- 
ognized by  the  men,  they  turned  out  and  gave  him  a  fitting 
reception,  to  which  he  responded  by  a  short  and  appropriate 
speech. 

On  Sunday,  the  i6th,  Colonel  Hiram  Duryea  left  us  on 
account  of  prolonged  ill  health. 

The  i  yth  we  left  camp  in  a  cold  rain-storm,  and  after  a 
march  of  twelve  miles,  passing  through  Warrenton,  went  into 


334         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

bivouac  about  10  P.M.  at  Warrenton  Junction.  The  roads 
were  in  a  very  bad  condition,  which  occasioned  much  delay, 
but  when  the  wagons  and  artillery  got  on  clear  ground,  we 
were  obliged  to  make  up  the  distance  on  a  half  run,  which 
was  more  fatiguing  than  a  steady,  uniform  step.  At  dusk 
there  was  no  sign  of  going  into  camp,  and  at  the  halts  the 
men  sat  down  in  the  mud  of  the  road  to  rest.  Finally  we 
were  ordered  into  a  field  to  camp.  The  prospect  was  dreary 
enough.  It  was  cold  and  raining  hard ;  wood  was  at  a  dis- 
tance, which  we  were  obliged  to  feel  out  in  the  dark.  The 
men  rigged  up  shelters  as  best  they  could,  fastening  them  to 
the  rifles  for  want  of  better  supports,  and  slept  on  the  cold, 
wet  ground. 

About  four  o'clock  A.M.  the  men  were  aroused  from  their 
restless  slumbers  by  the  blast  of  the  bugle ;  the  sky  was 
cloudy  and  the  sun  not  visible.  We  fell  in  line  and  marched 
about  eight  o'clock  across  fields,  swamps,  gtilleys,  up  hill 
and  down,  through  bushes,  woods,  and  streams,  crossing  the 
same  stream  of  water  no  less  than  four  times,  the  fording  of 
which  did  not  make  one's  feet  and  legs  feel  any  more  com- 
fortable, and  this  march  certainly  had  no  attraction.  It  was 
raining  all  the  time,  and  we  tramped  on  in  this  manner  until 
dark,  when  the  patience  of  the  men  was  about  exhausted, 
and  there  was  plenty  of  grumbling,  cursing,  and  groans. 

Finally  we  were  turned  into  a  field  to  rest,  after  sixteen 
miles  of  marching ;  the  ground  was  rough  and  uneven,  and 
so  thickly  ornamented  with  stones  and  lumps  as  to  make 
one  feel  as  if  he  was  lying  on  a  picket  fence.  This  place 
was  Spotted  Tavern.  One  of  the  men  remarked  that  it 
ought  to  be  named  "  Devil's  Rest." 

On  Wednesday,  the  ipth,  marched  at  daylight  through  the 
rain  five  miles,  and  bivouacked  near  Hartwood  Church. 

The  two  succeeding  days  we  remained  in  camp.  It  rained 
continually,  and  the  men's  clothing  was  soaking  wet  day 
and  night ;  some  of  them  laid  with  the  water  running  under 


On  the  March  to  Frcdcricksburg.  335 

them,  and  had  a  complete,  if  not  satisfactory,  experience  of 
that  delightful  sensation.  We  started  on  the  march,  but 
encountered  an  endless  train  of  wagons  blockaded  in  the 
muddy  roads,  and  were  ordered  to  camp  again.  The  tribu- 
lations of  the  men  thus  far  had  not  served  to  increase  their 
joy  at  the  prospect  of  a  "  winter  campaign." 

On  Saturday,  the  22d,  we  left  camp  about  3  A.M.,  went 
nearly  four  miles,  and  bivouacked  near  Stafford  Court- 
House.  On  Sunday,  the  23d,  marched  at  2  P.M.  about  three 
miles  and  encamped  near  Henry  House,  in  the  vicinity  of 
General  Hooker's  quarters.  The  night  was  very  cold,  and 
the  men  were  obliged  to  get  up  frequently  to  warm  their 
feet ;  the  water  froze  in  their  canteens. 

Thursday,  November  27th,  Thanksgiving  day,  the  men 
dined  on  salt  pork  and  hard-tack.  For  recreation  they  had 
a  drill  in  the  afternoon  to  aid  digestion.  28th,  the  division 
was  reviewed  by  General  Sykes,  and  had  a  brigade  drill  un- 
der General  Warren.  29th,  the  corps  was  reviewed  by  Gen- 
eral Hooker,  commander  of  the  center  grand  division  of  the 
army.  New  uniforms  were  issued,  being  the  first  time  since 
February,  1862.  On  Sunday,  the  3oth,  we  passed  for  inspec- 
tion in  heavy  marching  order  before  General  Hooker's  quar- 
ters, the  regiment  displaying  their  new  uniforms. 

On  Monday,  December  ist,  Colonel  Hiram  Duryea's  res- 
ignation was  read  off  on  dress  parade,  the  regiment  thereby 
losing  a  brave  and  accomplished  officer,  whose  absence  was 
keenly  felt  during  the  remainder  of  their  term  of  service. 
He  was  a  very  strict  disciplinarian,  and  no  holiday  soldier, 
and  it  was  greatly  owing  to  this  fact  that  the  excellent  state 
of  discipline  and  perfection  in  drill,  to  which  we  had  been 
brought  by  Colonel  Warren,  was  maintained. 

December  3d,  a  detail  from  the  regiment  went  on  picket 
with  two  days'  rations.  Saturday,  December  6th,  was  a  clear, 
cold  day,  with  snow  on  the  ground  five  inches  deep.  The 
regiment  was  prepared  for  a  review  by  General  Butterfield, 


336         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

acting  in  command  of  the  corps.  But  the  order  was  coun- 
termanded. 

On  Saturday,  December  6th,  a  detail  was  ordered  from  the 
regiment  for  picket  duty,  in  heavy  marching  order  and  two 
days'  rations.  After  considerable  delay  in  making  up  the 
details  from  the  different  regiments,  they  marched  over 
miserable  roads  and  two  or  three  streams  about  three  miles 
from  camp,  and  about  3  P.M.  were  in  the  position  assigned 
them  in  the  rear  of  the  army.  The  prospect  at  first  was 
gloomy.  The  fields  and  trees  were  covered  with  snow,  and 
not  a  green  thing  was  to  be  seen ;  but  they  were  agreeably 
surprised  when  they  reached  their  position.  A  Corporal 
and  six  men  were  assigned  to  each  post,  where  they  found 
generous  fires  in  front  of  rude  shelters  made  of  rails  and 
boughs  of  trees,  built  by  the  4th  Michigan  boys,  whom  they 
relieved,  and  all  they  had  to  do  was  to  take  their  place  and 
keep  the  fires  going.  The  reserve  was  posted  further  to  the 
rear  in  a  hollow  of  the  pine  woods,  and  made  themselves 
comfortable.  A  man  was  posted  from  each  squad  of  six 
men  further  to  the  front  in  the  woods,  for  two  hours  at  a 
time.  Of  course,  it  was  a  severe  task  to  stand  quietly  on 
duty  in  the  snow,  peering  around  on  the  watch.  But  on  the 
other  hand,  it  was  a  pleasure  for  the  solitary  sentinel  to  oc- 
casionally cast  a  glance  to  the  rear  at  the  gleaming  of  the 
picket  fires  in  the  woods,  and  to  enjoy  in  anticipation  the 
comfort  that  was  in  store  for  his  chilled  body  when  he 
should  be  relieved  from  his  vigil.  The  weather  was  very 
cold,  and  water  froze  in  the  canteens  a  few  feet  from  the 
fires.  The  blankets  and  overcoats  were  frozen  stiff  from 
previous  dampness.  Sunday,  the  7th,  and  the  succeeding 
day  continued  clear  and  cold,  and  the  snow  was  still  on  the 
ground.  The  picket  was  relieved  on  the  evening  of  the  8th. 

Major  Winslow  was  read  off  on  evening  parade  as  Colonel 
of  the  Fifth,  and  Ensign  Winslow,  his  brother,  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant ;  John  S.  Raymond  was  promoted  to  a  Captaincy, 


On  the  March  to  Fredericksburg.  337 

and  assigned  to  Company  G ;  A.  S.  Chase  to  Captain  of 
Company  D  ;  Sergeant  Kitson  to  Ensign  of  Company  C ; 
Sergeant  T.  E.  Fish  to  Ensign,  and  Commissary  E.  M.  Earle, 
appointed  Quartermaster,  vice  A.  L.  Thomas,  promoted  to 
Brigade  Quartermaster. 

These  were  the  preliminaries  and  the  preparation  for  the 
impending  struggle,  which  we  were  in  ardent  hope  would 
see  the  duration  of  war  cease,  and  that  the  Union  with  its 
benedictions  of  peace  would  once  more  be  restored.  But 
our  hopes  as  to  the  issue  of  the  coming  conflict  were  to  be 
dashed  to  the  ground,  and  it  was  destined  to  form  a  dark 
event  in  the  history  of  the  Union  cause. 
IS 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

BATTLE   OF  FREDERICKSBURG. 

IN  SIGHT  OF  FREDERICKSBURG — THE  PONTOON — THE  BURNING  CITY — THE  POSI- 
TION—ACROSS THE  RIVER — MARYE'S  HILL — A  DESCRIPTION  BY  THE  PHILADEL- 
PHIA Times— THE.  ATTACK— THE  ENEMY'S  BATTERIES— THE  SLAUGHTER  PATH 
— FRENCH'S  DIVISION — HOOKER'S  CHARGE — HOWARD  AT  THE  FRONT — HUM- 
PHREY'S DIVISION — SYKES'  DIVISION — THE  DEAD  AND  WOUNDED — WARREN'S 
BRIGADE — THE  BRIGADE  OF  DEATH — THE  COMPTE  DE  PARIS — THE  FIFTH  IN  A 
GARDEN— OUR  REGULARS  SEVERELY  PLACED— THE  GLOOM  PALL— FORLORN 
HOPE  —  STRATEGY  —  INTRENCHMENTS  AT  NIGHT  —  COVERING  THE  RETREAT— 
THE  LAST  MAN  CROSSED — THE  PONTOON  LIFTED — INCIDENTS — HENRY  HOUSE 
— GENERAL  SYKES'  GENERAL  ORDER. 

AT  half-past  2  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the 
nth  day  of  December,  1862,  the  regiment  was  aroused  from 
its  slumbers,  by  the  sound  of  the  bugle  ringing  out  the 
reveille  on  the  clear,  cold  air.  The  men  immediately  turned 
out  and  formed  in  line  for  roll  call.  After  answering  to  their 
names,  they  commenced  their  slight  preparations  for  the 
march.  They  formed  in  line  and  at  about  six  o'clock  took 
the  road,  already  blocked  up,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  scan, 
with  moving  troops,  artillery,  and  ambulances.  The  sound 
of  a  heavy  gun  in  the  distance  announced  that  the  fiat  for 
battle  had  gone  forth,  which,  ere  it  closed,  was  to  send  weep- 
ing and  mourning  into  many  a  happy  Northern  home,  and 
throw  a  mantle  of  gloom  over  every  patriot  heart  throughout 
the  land.  Soon  other  guns  sent  forth  their  deep-toned  notes, 
and  the  roar  of  artillery  became  incessant.  After  many 
halts,  and  a  march  of  about  three  miles,  the  division  was 
turned  into  a  wood  to  await  further  orders.  They  were 
finally  marched  from  the  wood  to  a  position  behind  some 
earthworks  on  high  ground,  near  the  banks  of  the  Rappa- 
hannock,  from  which  they  could  distinctly  see  the  ill-fated 
(338) 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  339 

city  of  Fredericksburg,  lying  about  two  miles  to  their  left, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  along  on  their  side  of  the 
river,  and  stretching  far  off  in  the  distance,  huge  balls  of 
smoke  arose  from  the  guns  which  were  playing  on  the 
opposite  bank. 

The  men  of  the  5oth  New  York  Regiment,  Engineer 
Corps,  were  engaged  all  day  in  trying  to  lay  the  pontoon 
bridge  across  the  river,  but  were  prevented  by  the  enemy's 
riflemen,  who  were  posted  in  the  houses  along  the  streets 
adjacent  to  the  river.  This  compelled  the  General  com- 
manding to  order  the  guns  to  be  turned  upon  the  city  and 
shell  the  place.  Soon  thirty-five  batteries,  numbering  one 
hundred  and  seventy-nine  guns,  were  hurling  their  shell  into 
the  city;  they  continued  the  bombardment  for  an  hour,  each' 
piece  discharging  about  fifty  shots  ;  the  reverberations  of  the 
guns  were  like  long  rolls  of  thunder,  and  soon  the  high 
banks  of  the  river  were  enveloped  in  smoke.  The  city  was 
set  on  fire  by  the  shell  in  several  places,  and  continued  to 
burn  all  day  and  through  the  succeeding  night.  It  was  a 
splendid  spectacle  in  the  darkness,  as  the  flames  burst  forth 
from  the  burning  houses.  On  Friday,  the  I2th,  detachments 
of  the  7th  Michigan,  followed  by  the  ipth  and  2oth  Massa- 
chusetts, about  four  hundred  men  in  all,  dashed  across  the 
river  in  pontoon  boats  and  routed  the  enemy's  riflemen, 
lying  behind  the  brick  walls  of  the  ruined  houses  along  the 
river  front,  but  they  suffered  some  loss  in  their  heroic  enter- 
prise. 

The  engineers  were  now  able  to  lay  their  bridges  without 
molestation.  The  enemy's  works  on  the  heights  to  the  rear 
of  the  city  could  be  plainly  seen,  as  they  were  built  on 
steep  hills  ninety  and  one  hundred  feet  in  height;  concern- 
ing which,  wrote  the  London  Times  correspondent  after  the 
battle  :  "  This  crest  of  hills  constitutes  one  of  the  strongest 
positions  in  the  world — impregnable  to  any  attack  in  the 
front."  The  Confederates  scarcely  deigned  to  reply  to  the 


34O         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

fire  of  the  batteries,  and  it  looked  ominous ;  it  seemed  as  if 
they  were  saving  their  ammunition  and  biding  their  time, 
being  sure  of  their  prey  when  the  troops  crossed  over  into 
the  city. 

On  Saturday,  the  i3th,  by  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
the  troops  were  all  across  the  river,  with  the  exception  of 
Sykes'  division,  which  was  held  as  a  reserve,  being  com- 
posed of  two  brigades  of  regulars  and  Warren's  brigade, 
consisting  at  that  time  of  the  Fifth,  i4oth,  and  i46th  New 
York,  the  Fifth  being  regarded  the  same  in  point  of  steadi- 
ness and  discipline  as  the  regulars.  The  two  other  regiments 
had  not  yet  been  under  fire,  having  been  recently  recruited. 

Since  noon  the  rattle  of  musketry  intermingled  with  the 
roar  of  artillery  had  been  incessant,  and  told  the  story  of  the 
fierce  conflict  raging. 

We  will  now  halt  for  a  moment  and  see  what  is  going  on 
in  front  of  Marye's  Hill,  through  the  eyes  of  one  who  must 
have  been  present,  or  he  could  not  have  described  the  scene 
so  faithfully  or  so  well. 

The  following  was  published  in  the  New  York  Sunday 
Sun  of  August  5,  1877,  credited  to  the  Philadelphia  Times, 
and  its  perusal  will  bring  home  to  the  thoughts  of  all  those 
who  were  present  on  that  bloody  field,  the  truthfulness  of 
the  scenes  described  : 

"  Marye's  Hill  was  the  focus  of  the  strife.  It  rises  in  the  rear 
of  Fredericksburg,  a  stone's  throw  beyond  the  canal  which  runs 
along  the  western  border  of  the  city.  The  ascent  is  not  very  ab- 
rupt. A  brick  house  stands  on  the  hillside,  whence  you  may 
overlook  Fredericksburg  and  all  the  circumjacent  country.  The 
Orange  plank-road  ascends  the  hill  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the 
house,  the  telegraph  road  on  the  left.  Above  Marye's  Hill  is  an 
elevated  plateau  which  commands  it.  The  hill  is  part  of  a  long, 
bold  ridge  on  which  the  declivity  leans,  stretching  from  Falmouth 
to  Massoponax  Creek,  six  miles.  Its  summit  was  shaggy  and  rough 
with  the  earthworks  of  the  Confederates,  and  was  crowned  by 
their  artillery.  The  stone  wall  on  Marye's  Height  was  their 


Battle  of  Frederic  ksburg.  341 

'coign  of  vantage,'  held  by  the  brigades  of  Cobb  and  Kershaw, 
of  McLaw's  division.  On  the  semicircular  crest  above,  and 
stretching  far  on  either  hand,  was  Longstreet's  corps,  forming  the 
left  of  the  Confederate  line.  His  advance  position  was  the  stone 
wall  and  rifle  trenches  along  the  telegraph  road  above  the  house. 
The  guns  of  the  enemy  commanded  and  swept  the  streets  which 
led  out  to  the  heights.  Sometimes  you  might  see  a  regiment 
marching  down  those  streets  in  single  file,  keeping  close  to  the 
houses,  one  file  on  the  right-hand  side,  another  on  the  left. 

"  Between  a  canal  and  the  foot  of  the  ridge  was  a  level  plat  of 
flat,  even  ground,  a  few  hundred  yards  in  width.  This  restricted 
space  afforded  what  opportunity  there  was  to  form  in  order  of 
battle.  A  division  massed  on  this  narrow  plain  was  a  target 
for  Lee's  artillery,  which  cut  fearful  swaths  in  the  dense  and 
compact  ranks. 

"  Below  and  to  the  right  were  fences  which  impeded  the  ad- 
vance of  the  charging  lines.  Whatever  division  was  assigned  the 
task  of  carrying  Marye's  Hill,  debouched  from  the  town,  crossed 
the  canal,  traversed  the  narrow  level  and  formed  under  cover  of 
a  sharp  rise  of  ground  at  the  foot  of  the  heights. 

"  At  the  word,  suddenly  ascending  this  bank,  they  pressed  for- 
ward up  the  hill  for  the  stone  wall  and  the  crest  beyond,  into  the 
jaws  of  death. 

"  From  noon  to  dark  Burnside  continued  to  hurl  one  division 
after  another  against  that  volcano-like  eminence,  belching  forth 
fire  and  smoke  and  iron  hail.  French's  division  was  the  first  to 
rush  to  the  assault.  When  it  emerged  from  cover  and  burst  out 
on  the  open,  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  it  was  greeted  with  a 
frightful  fiery  reception  from  all  his  batteries  on  the  circling 
summit. 

"  The  ridge  concentrated  upon  it  the  convergent  fire  of  all  its 
enginery  of  war.  You  might  see  at  a  mile  the  lanes  made  by  the 
cannon  balls  in  the  ranks.  You  might  see  a  bursting  shell  throw 
up  into  the  air  a  cloud  of  earth  and  dust,  mingled  with  the  limbs 
of  men.  The  batteries  in  front  of  the  devoted  division  thundered 
against  it.  To  the  right,  to  the  left,  cannon  were  answering  to 
each  other  in  a  tremendous  deafening  battle  chorus,  the  burden 
of  which  was : 

" l  Welcome  to  these  madmen  about  to  die.' 


342         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

"  The  advancing  column  was  a  focus,  the  point  of  concentration 
of  an  arc — almost  a  semicircle — of  destruction.  It  was  a  center 
of  attraction  of  all  deadly  missiles.  At  that  moment  that  single 
division  was  going  up  alone  in  battle  against  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy, and  was  being  pounded  to  pieces.  It  continued  to  go 
up,  nevertheless,  toward  the  stone  wall,  toward  the  crest  above. 
With  lips  more  firmly  pressed  together,  the  men  closed  up  their 
ranks  and  pushed  forward.  The  storm  of  battle  increased  its 
fury  upon  them  ;  the  crash  of  musketry  mingled  with  the  roar  of 
ordnance  from  the  peaks.  The  stone  wall  and  the  rifle-pits 
added  their  terrible  treble  to  the  deep  base  of  the  bellowing 
ridge.  The  rapid  discharge  of  small  arms  poured  a  continuous 
rain  of  bullets  in  their  faces  ;  they  fell  down  by  tens,  by  scores, 
by  hundreds. 

"  When  they  had  gained  a  large  part  of  the  distance,  the  storm 
developed  into  a  hurricane  of  ruin.  The  division  was  blown  back 
as  if  by  a  breath  of  hell's  door  suddenly  opened,  shattered,  dis- 
ordered, pell-mell,  down  the  declivities,  amid  the  shouts  and 
yells  of  the  enemy,  which  made  the  horrid  din  demoniac.  Until 
then  the  division  seemed  to  be  contending  with  the  wrath  of  brute 
and  material  forces  bent  on  its  annihilation. 

"  This  shout  recalled  the  human  agency  in  all  the  turbulence 
and  fury  of  the  scene.  The  division  of  French  fell  back  ;  that  is 
to  say,  one-half  of  it.  It  suffered  a  loss  of  near  half  its  numbers. 
Hancock  immediately  charged  with  five  thousand  men,  veteran 
regiments,  led  by  tried  commanders.  They  saw  what  had  hap- 
pened ;  they  knew  what  would  befall  them.  They  advanced  up 
the  hill ;  the  bravest  were  found  dead  within  twenty-five  paces 
of  the  stone  wall ;  it  was  slaughter,  havoc,  carnage.  In  fifteen 
minutes  they  were  thrown  back  with  a  loss  of  two  thousand — 
unprecedented  severity  of  loss.  Hancock  and  French,  repulsed 
from  the  stone  wall,  would  not  quit  the  hill  altogether.  Their 
divisions,  lying  down  on  the  earth,  literally  clung  to  the  ground 
they  had  won.  These  valiant  men,  who  could  not  go  forward, 
would  not  go  back.  All  the  while  the  batteries  on  the  heights 
raged  and  stormed  at  them. 

"Howard's  division  came  to  their  aid.  Two  divisions  of  the 
9th  corps  to  their  left  attacked  repeatedly  in  their  support. 

"  It  was  then  that  Burnside  rode  from  the  Phillips  House,  on 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  343 

the  other  side  of  the  Rappahannock,  and  standing  on  the  bluff  at 
the  river,  staring  at  those  formidable  heights,  exclaimed  :  '  That 
crest  must  be  carried  to-night.'  Hooker  remonstrated,  begged, 
obeyed.  In  the  army  to  hear  is  to  obey.  He  prepared  to  charge 
with  Humphrey's  division  ;  he  brought  up  every  available  battery 
in  the  city.  '  I  proceeded,'  he  said,  '  against  their  barriers  as  I 
would  against  a  fortification,  and  endeavored  to  breach  a  hole 
sufficiently  large  for  a  forlorn  hope  to  enter.'  He  continued  the 
cannonading  on  the  selected  spot  until  sunset.  He  made  no  im- 
pression upon  their  works,  '  no  more  than  you  could  make  upon 
the  side  of  a  mountain  of  rock.' 

"  Humphrey's  division  formed  under  shelter  of  the  rise,  in  col- 
umn, for  assault.  They  were  directed  to  make  the  attack  with 
empty  muskets ;  there  was  no  time  then  to  load  and  fire.  The 
officers  were  put  in  front  to  lead.  At  the  command  they  moved 
forward  with  great  impetuosity ;  they  charged  at  a  run,  hurrah- 
ing. The  foremost  of  them  advanced  to  within  fifteen  or  twenty 
yards  of  the  stone  wall.  Hooker  afterward  said  :  '  No  campaign 
in  the  world  ever  saw  a  more  gallant  advance  than  Humphrey's 
men  made  there.  But  they  were  to  do  a  work  that  no  men  could 
do.'  In  a  moment  they  were  hurled  back  with  enormous  loss. 
It  was  now  just  dark ;  the  attack  was  suspended.  Three  times 
from  noon  to  dark  the  cannon  on  the  crest,  the  musketry  at  the 
stone  wall,  had  prostrated  division  after  division  on  Marye's 
Hill.  And  now  the  sun  had  set ;  twilight  had  stolen  out  of  the 
west  and  spread  her  veil  of  dusk  ;  the  town,  the  flat,  the  hill,  the 
ridge,  lay  under  the  '  circling  canopy  of  night's  extended  shade.' 
Darkness  and  gloom  had  settled  down  upon  the  Phillips  House, 
over  on  the  Stafford  Heights,  where  Burnside  would  after  a  while 
hold  his  council  of  war." 

About  three  o'clock  Sykes'  division  was  ordered  to  move 
toward  the  bridge  leading  direct  to  the  city ;  it  being  one  of 
five  built  of  pontoons  by  the  engineers,  the  other  four  lying 
further  to  the  left,  three  of  which  led  to  the  open  country. 
As  they  approached  in  its  vicinity,  they  met  the  enemy's 
shell,  who  was  aiming  his  guns  so  as  to  reach  the  slope  of 
the  hill  running  down  to  the  foot  of  the  bridge  and  the  plains 


344        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

beyond.  They  saw  numerous  sights  that  reminded  them  of 
what  was  going  on  in  the  front ;  pale-looking  men  limping 
to  the  rear,  and  long  lines  of  ambulances  carrying  their  bur- 
dens of  suffering  humanity,  and  here  and  there  a  surgeon 
and  assistants,  with  implements  in  hand  performing  their 
duties,  with  the  wounded  and  the  dying  lying  about  them ; 
terrified-looking  stragglers  skulking  behind  trees,  where  they 
thought  themselves  safe  from  flying  shell. 

Before  crossing  the  river  they  met  General  Burnside,  who 
appeared  to  look  anxious  and  not  well  satisfied  as  to  how  the 
battle  was  progressing.  Who  could  realize  the  fearful  re- 
sponsibility then  resting  on  him  alone  ?  His  last  troops 
were  going  into  action  ;  the  desperate  assaults  against  an 
impregnable  position  had  been  disastrous  failures,  and  this 
was  the  decisive  moment.  The  division  crossed  the  bridge 
and  hurried  through  a  business  street,  where  whole  blocks  of 
stores  had  been  destroyed  by  fire ;  desolation  and  destruc- 
tion were  visible  on  all  sides.  They  turned  into  Caroline 
Street,  which  was  lined  by  the  residences  of  the  wealthy,  and 
as  they  passed  up  this  street  on  a  run,  they  saw  many  corpses 
lying  about  in  the  street  and  on  the  sidewalks,  and  met 
wounded  men  coming  from  the  battle,  reeling  like  drunken 
men.  Once  in  a  while  one  of  them  would  fall  from  weak- 
ness occasioned  by  loss  of  blood.  Two  soldiers  came  out 
of  a  drug-store  with  ashy  pale  countenances,  having  been 
poisoned  in  their  search  for  whisky. 

The  din  of  battle  was  now  terrifying,  as  nearly  all  of  Gen- 
eral Hooker's  command,  the  3d  and  5th  corps,  were  en- 
gaged, and  for  two  miles  along  the  front  it  was  one  sheet 
of  flame,  but  the  result  was  uncertain.  On  the  outside  of 
the  city  was  a  plain  about  one-third  of  a  mile  in  width,  on 
the  other  side  of  which  were  the  enemy,  covered  by  a  stone 
wall,  which  was  banked  with  earth,  rifle-pits,  and  batteries 
on  the  heights,  with  another  line  of  earthworks  on  high 
ground  to  the  rear  of  them ;  all  these  must  be  overcome  at 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  345 

that  point,  to  insure  a  victory.  The  division  continued  up 
the  street  on  a  double-quick,  the  regulars  being  in  advance  ; 
they  came  to  the  end  of  it,  which  debouched  on  the  out- 
skirts of  the  city,  on  the  border  of  the  open  plain  before 
mentioned,  and  thi  "regulars"  went  into  the  battle  now 
raging  fiercely,  relieving  Humphrey's  division.  The  Con- 
federates knew  who  were  facing  them  at  the  first  volley. 
Warren's  brigade  formed  a  second  line  in  their  rear.  It  was 
now  dark,  and  the  heavy  firing  ceased  ;  occasional  volleys 
from  companies  or  battalions  lit  up  the  darkness  for  a  mo- 
ment, but  it  soon  dropped  off  to  a  heavy  picket  firing. 

The  assaulting  troops,  as  we  have  seen,  had  succeeded  in 
getting  near  the  stone  wall,  but  they  were  met  with  such  a 
withering  fire  from  the  Confederates,  who  were  repeatedly 
reinforced,  and  from  the  nature  of  their  defenses  could 
mass  their  men  four  files  deep  and  fire,  that  our  forces  were 
so  decimated  they  could  advance  no  further,  and  were 
obliged  to  fall  back. 

The  position  of  the  Fifth  happened  to  be  in  a  garden,  the 
soil  being  wet  and  muddy,  from  the  heat  of  the  sun  dur- 
ing the  day,  which  had  melted  the  frost  in  the  ground.  But 
there  they  were  compelled  to  wait,  being  the  next  in  turn 
for  the  trying  ordeal.  The  men  pulled  down  a  picket  fence 
and  portioned  what  there  was  of  it  among  themselves  to  lie 
on,  and  keep  part  of  their  bodies  from  the  damp,  cold  earth, 
each  man's  share  consisting  of  a  space  about  two  and  one- 
half  feet  long  by  one  and  a  half  broad,  and  curled  them- 
selves up  to  keep  warm.  The  bullets  whizzed  over  their 
heads  from  the  firing  just  in  front  of  them,  and  some  of  them 
were  hit ;  occasionally  the  shrieking  of  shell  was  heard,  a 
little  over  their  heads.  Few  there  were  that  closed  their  eyes 
that  long  December  night,  which  seemed  as  if  it  would  never 
end.  As  they  lay,  they  thought  of  the  morrow — how  many 
of  them  would  live  to  come  out  of  the  conflict — of  home — 
of  eternity. 


346         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

But  worse  than  all  were  the  cries  of  the  wounded,  lying 
helpless  between  the  lines  and  on  that  bloody  slope,  without 
any  one  to  help  them.  They  could  hear  them  cry,  "Water  ! 
water  !  water  !  O  God  !  help  !  "  Some  of  them  called  out 
their  names  and  regiment,  and  sometimes  a  chorus  of  shrieks 
and  groans  went  up  on  the  chill  midnight  air,  telling  of 
human  agony  beyond  the  power  of  endurance.  But  to 
quote  again  from  the  same  writer  : 

"  The  dead  would  not  remain  unnoticed.  The  dying  cried  out 
in  the  darkness,  and  demanded  succor  of  the  world.  Was  there 
nothing  in  the  universe  to  save  ?  Tens  of  thousands  within  ear- 
shot, and  no  footstep  of  friend  or  foe  drew  near  during  all  the 
hours.  Sometimes  they  drew  near  and  passed  by,  which  was  an 
aggravation  of  the  agony.  The  subdued  sound  of  wheels  rolling 
slowly  along,  and  ever  and  anon  stopping ;  the  murmur  of  voices 
and  a  cry  of  pain  told  of  the  ambulance  on  its  mission.  It  went 
off  in  another  direction.  The  cries  were  borne  through  the 
haze.  Now  a  single  lament ;  again  voices  intermingled  and  as  if 
in  chorus  ;  from  every  direction,  in  front,  behind,  to  right,  to  left, 
some  near,  some  distant  and  faint.  Some,  doubtless,  were  faint 
and  were  not  distant — the  departing  breath  of  one  about  to  ex- 
pire. They  expressed  every  degree  and  shade  of  suffering,  of 
pain,  of  agony  ;  a  sigh,  a  groan,  a  piteous  appeal,  a  shriek,  a 
succession  of  shrieks,  a  call  of  despair,  a  prayer  to  God,  a  demand 
for  water,  for  the  ambulance,  a  death-rattle,  a  horrid  scream,  a 
voice  as  of  the  body  when  the  soul  tore  itself  away  and  aban- 
doned it  to  the  enemy,  to  the  night,  and  to  dissolution.  The 
voices  were  various.  This  the  tongue  of  a  German  ;  that  wail 
in  the  Celtic  brogue  of  a  poor  Irishman.  The  accent  of  New 
England  was  distinguishable  in  the  cry  of  that  boy.  From  a 
different  quarter  came  utterances  in  the  dialect  of  a  far-oft 
Western  State.  The  appeals  of  the  Irish  were  the  most  pathetic. 
They  put  them  into  every  form — denunciation,  remonstrance,  a 
pitiful  prayer,  a  peremptory  demand,  The  German  was  more 
patient,  less  demonstrative,  withdrawing  into  himself.  One  man 
raised  his  body  on  his  left  arm,  and  extending  his  right  arm  up- 
ward, cried  out  to  the  heavens  and  fell  back.  Most  of  them  lay 
moaning,  with  the  fitful  movement  of  unrest  and  pain. 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  347 

"  It  was  on  the  ground  over  which  the  successive  charges  had 
been  made  that  there  appeared  to  be  a  thin  line  of  soldiers  sleep- 
ing on  the  ground.  They  seemed  to  make  a  sort  of  row  or  rank ; 
they  were  perfectly  motionless  ;  their  sleep  was  profound.  Not 
one  of  them  awoke  and  got  up.  They  were  not  relieved  either. 
Had  the  fatigue  of  the  day  completely  overpowered  all  of  them, 
officers  and  privates  alike  ?  They  were  nearest  the  enemy, 
within  call  of  him.  They  were  the  advance  line  of  the  Union 
army.  Was  it  thus  that  they  kept  their  watch,  on  which  the 
safety  of  the  whole  army  depended,,  pent  up  between  the  ridge 
and  the  river?  The  enemy  might  come  within  ten  steps  of 
them  without*  being  seen.  The  fog  was  a  veil.  No  one  knew 
what  lay,  or  moved,  or  crept,  a  little  distance  off.  Still  they  did 
not  waken.  If  you  looked  closely  at  the  face  of  any  of  them,  in 
the  mist  and  dimness,  it  was  pallid,  the  eyes  closed,  the  mouth 
open,  the  hair  was  disheveled  ;  besides,  the  attitude  was  often 
painful.  There  were  blood-marks  also.  These  men  were  all 
dead." 

Thus  the  night  wore  through.  Toward  morning  a  thick 
mist  hung  over  the  ground,  which  made  the  situation  more 
gloomy,  if  possible,  than  ever.  The  men  fully  expected  to 
face  the  Confederate  hosts  in  battle  array  as  soon  as  day- 
light should  appear.  Each  man  felt  as  if  he  was  passing  his 
last  night  on  earth ;  but  each  brave  heart  had  inwardly 
resolved  to  obey  orders  unflinchingly,  and  preserve  the 
reputation  of  their  regiment  in  whatever  position  it  might 
be  placed  ;  and  if  it  was  the  fortune  of  war  that  they  were  to 
die,  they  would  meet  their  fate  like  men. 

"  In  the  meantime  the  troops  that  had  been  in  the  front  were 
withdrawn  into  the  streets  of  the  town,  and  rested  on  their  arms. 
Some  sat  on  the  curbstones,  meditating,  looking  gloomily  at  the 
ground  ;  others  lay  on  the  pavement,  trying  to  forget  the  events 
of  the  day  in  sleep.  There  was  little  said  ;  deep  dejection  bur- 
dened the  spirits  of  all.  The  incidents  of  the  battle  were  not  re- 
hearsed except  now  and  then.  Always  when  any  one  spoke,  it 
was  of  a  slain  comrade — of  his  virtues  or  of  the  manner  of  his 
death  ;  or  of  one  missing,  with  many  conjectures  respecting  him. 


348        Fifth  Ne^v   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

Some  of  them,  it  was  said,  had  premonitions,  and  went  into  the 
battle  not  expecting-  to  survive  the  day.  Thus  they  lay  or  sat. 
The  conversation  was  with  bowed  head,  and  in  a  low  manner, 
ending  in  a  sigh. 

"  It  was  December,  and  cold.  There  was  no  camp-fire.  But 
no  one  mentioned  the  cold  ;  it  was  not  noticed.  Steadily  the 
wounded  were  carried  by  to  the  hospitals  near  the  river.  The 
hospitals  were  a  harrowing  sight ;  full,  crowded,  nevertheless 
patients  were  brought  in  constantly.  Down-stairs,  up-stairs, 
every  room  full.  Surgeons,  with  their  coats  off  and  sleeves  rolled 
up  above  their  elbows,  sawed  off  limbs  or  administered  anaes- 
thetics. They  took  off  a  leg  or  an  arm  in  a  twinkling,  after  brief 
consultation.  It  seemed  to  be,  in  case  of  doubt — off  with  his 
limb.  But  the  sights  and  scenes  in  a  field-hospital  are  not  to  be 
described." 

The  Cornpte  de  Paris  says,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Civil  War 
in  Am'erica"  (pp.  596-7)  : 

"This  night  of  December  I3th-i4th  was  probably  the  most 
painful  ever  experienced  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  during  its 
whole  existence  ;  its  losses  amounted  to  12,500  killed  and  wound- 
ed, and  over  2,000  prisoners,  sacrificed  uselessly  to  carry  out  an 
idea  ;  6,300  lay  killed  or  wounded  on  the  slope  of  Marye's  Hill, 
but  there  was  not  a  soldier  in  the  ranks  who  did  not  believe  that 
their  blood  had  been  shed  entirely  in  vain. 

"  The  Confederates,  secure  in  their  Gibraltar,  had  only  lost  at 
this  point  952  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  in  all  parts  of  the  field 
less  than  one-half  of  the  Union  losses." 

At  daylight  the  men  were  ordered  to  fall  in  ;  they  had  no 
sooner  done  so  than  the  enemy  opened  on  them  from  their 
rifle-pits.  The  bullets  flew  around  them  thick,  and  began  to 
tell ;  one  long  line  of  flashes  told  where  the  Confederates 
were  posted,  for  it  was  yet  quite  dark.  The  regiment  was 
hurried  off,  and  went  up  the  same  street  they  had  come  down 
the  night  before,  and  closed  up  en  masse  in  a  garden  partially 
covered  by  a  dwelling-house  and  fences,  which  somewhat 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  349 

screened  them  from  observation ;  but  they  were  still  under 
easy  rifle  range.  Some  of  the  Fifth  were  wounded,  and  a 
piece  of  a  shell  broke  the  leg  of  a  member  of  the  i46th  New 
York,  after  crushing  the  wheel  of  a  caisson.  Three  men  of 
the  1 4oth  New  York  were  also  wounded.  The  regiment  had 
not  been  long  in  this  spot  before  some  of  the  wild  spirits, 
whom  nothing  seemed  to  tame  or  overawe,  strayed  off  through 
the  fence  toward  the  enemy,  although  the  bullets  were 
whistling  about  them.  They  soon  returned  with  various 
articles  of  luxurious  diet  and  clothing.  It  was  a  ludicrous 
profanation  of  the  terrible  drama  to  witness  the  grotesque 
appearance  of  some  of  the  men.  But  this  by-play  soon  came 
to  an  abrupt  termination  by  the  interference  of  the  officers. 

It  was  sad  to  reflect  how  desolate  these  happy  and  com- 
fortable homes  were  made  through  the  terrible  consequences 
of  a  war  brought  about  by  the  treasonable  acts  of  a  few  ap- 
bitious  leaders,  the  majority  of  whom  did  not  care  to  hazard 
their  own  lives  on  the  battle-field,  but  were  willing  that  their 
deluded  followers  should  stand  as  a  bulwark  between  them 
and  physical  danger  and  hardships.  It  was  surely  not 
strange  that  it  was  so  difficult  to  conquer  such  people,  when 
they  were  willing  to  sacrifice  everything,  the  houses  and 
homes  in  which  they  were  born  and  brought  up,  and  per- 
chance their  parents  before  them,  rather  than  surrender  them 
willingly  and  ask  protection  of  a  forgiving  invader,  who  had 
been  forced  to  lay  aside  the  arts  of  peace,  to  take  up  arms 
to  preserve  the  unity  of  the  States,  under  one  confederation 
and  one  flag. 

In  the  afternoon  the  regiment  was  marched  down  the  street 
a  short  distance  toward  the  river,  and  turned  into  a  yard  in 
the  rear  of  a  large  brick  mansion,  one  of  several  others,  with 
piazzas,  gas-fixtures,  and  water-pipes,  the  supply  to  the  lat- 
ter having  been  cut  off  by  the  Confederates.  The  kitchen,  a 
small  brick  house,  was  connected  with  the  main  building  by 
a  covered  way.  Behind  the  kitchen  were  rows  of  neat  huts  for 


350         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  colored  servants.  Everything  gave  evidence  of  the  wealth 
and  rank  of  the  owners.  A  bell  hung  out  at  the  rear  of  the 
house  to  waken  the  "  people  "  in  the  morning.  The  officers 
occupied  one  of  these  mansions  as  their  headquarters,  from 
which  was  heard  occasionally  some  favorite  air  played  on 
the  piano.  The  men  made  a  fire  in  the  large  kitchen  stove, 
and  made  some  unleavened  cakes,  prepared  from  flour  and 
water,  a  barrel  of  the  former  having  been  unearthed.  This 
proved  to  be  a  God-send,  for  the  bacon  distributed  to  them 
the  succeeding  night,  either  by  accident  or  design  was  utter- 
ly unfit  for  consumption.  The  regiment  stayed  in  this  posi- ' 
tion  two  days  and  a  night,  all  of  the  time  under  fire  of  the 
guns  of  the  enemy,  and  under  great  suspense,  not  knowing 
at  what  moment  they  would  receive  orders  to  advance  to  the 
front,  to  battle,  and  they  knew  well  that  such  an  order  meant 
practical,  if  not  total  annihilation. 

The  regulars  were  obliged  to  hold  the  position  assigned  to 
them  on  the  night  of  the  i3th,  which  was  discovered  in  the 
morning  to  be  a  slight  hollow.  It  "was  a  doleful  place. 
They  were  obliged  to  hug  the  ground,  lying  on  their  backs 
or  stomachs ;  they  could  not  move  ;  when  one  turned,  he 
was  sure  to  be  hit  in  the  shoulder,  and  the  wounded  were 
obliged  to  lie  and  suffer.  Many  who  attempted,  by  permis- 
sion, to  run  to  the  rear,  were  immediately  pierced  by  minie 
balls  and  fell  lifeless.  In  this  desperate  position  they  laid  all 
day  until  it  was  dark,  in  the  same  place  they  occupied  all 
of  the  previous  weary  night,  amid  the  scenes  already  de- 
scribed. They  were  completely  at  the  mercy  of  the  Con- 
federates, who  were  apparently  secure  in  their  earthworks. 
They  were  out  of  water,  and  suffered  terribly.  At  night, 
when  they  were  able  to  creep  away  under  the  veil  of  dark- 
ness, they  left  97  of  their  number  stark  and  stiff.  This  is 
the  position  that  Warren's  brigade  escaped  being  placed  in, 
by  a  mere  chance,  as  the  order  of  march  was  right  in  front ; 
Warren's  brigade  held  the  left  of  the  division. 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  351 

On  the  third  day,  Monday,  the  i5th,  the  condition  of 
affairs  looked  ominous  of  evil,  as  the  enemy  were  advancing 
their  rifle-pits  nearer  the  city  every  night,  and  the  troops  were 
being  hemmed  within  its  limits ;  the  bullets  were  continually 
flying  up  the  streets  of  the  city ;  there  was  no  commanding 
position  for  the  artillery,  and  in  "the  front"  death  stared  them 
in  the  face,  and  the  wide  Rappahannock  flowed  in  their  rear 
between  them  and  a  place  of  refuge.  If  the  enemy,  regard- 
less of  the  many  women  and  children  who  remained  in  the 
city  hiding  in  the  cellars  of  the  houses,  should  shell  the  place 
from  the  fortified  heights  commanding  it,  on  which  were 
posted  two  hundred  pieces  of  artillery,  a  panic  would  prob- 
ably ensue  among  the  troops  massed  in  the  city,  which  in- 
cluded the  greater  part  of  Burnside's  forces,  and  the  army 
would  be  lost,  and  possibly  the  cause  for  which  they  were 
fighting. 

It  is  now  a  matter  of  history  that  Stonewall  Jackson  pro- 
posed to  General  Lee  to  bombard  the  city  at  night,  and  then 
in  the  midst  of  the  confusion  that  would  naturally  ensue,  to 
steal  down  and  attack  with  he  bayonet. 

General  Franklin  gained  a  mile  on  the  left  the  first  day, 
but  was  then  checked,  and  could  not  advance  any  further. 
It  was  rumored  that  General  Burnside  proposed  to  storm  the 
works  en  masse  with  the  gth  army  corps  in  advance,  but 
was  overruled  by  the  other  officers.  It  might  possibly  have 
resulted  in  a  temporary  success  at  a  terrible  sacrifice  of  men, 
but  what  would  follow  ?  A  great  many  charges  had  been 
made  the  first  day,  but  to  no  purpose  except  to  sacrifice  men. 
The  dead  strewed  the  field ;  a  whole  brigade  of  them  in  num- 
ber could  be  seen  lying  on  the  slopes  of  the  hills  ;  it  was 
sur.e  destruction  to  face  the  Confederate  batteries,  and  many 
of  the  wounded  were  left  to  die  a  lingering  death  between 
the  lines,  the  enemy  shooting  any  who  ventured  to  bring 
them  off.  No  truce  was  asked  or  granted. 

At  this  time  every  man's  heart  had  failed ;  officers  and 


352        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

men  felt  alike ;  they  tried  to  laugh  and  joke  and  cheer  each 
other  as  usual,  but  it  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  they  all  felt 
the  serious  position  in  which  they  were  placed,  and  the  men 
looked  at  one  another  with  compressed  lips,  but  spoke  not ; 
the  language  of  the  soul  was  impressive  ;  in  their  counte- 
nances was  written  "  forlorn  hope." 

It  was  apparent  to  the  most  simple  that  General  Burn- 
side's  army  had  been  drawn  into  a  death-trap  ;  they  all  knew 
and  felt  it,  and  wondered  why  they  were  idly  kept  there 
without  an  effort  being  made  to  escape  or  to  change  the 
mode  of  attack.  The  suspense  was  worse  than  death  itself; 
it  was  lingering  torture ;  and  all  felt  as  a  man  can  be  im- 
agined to  feel  the  night  before  his  execution.  The  army  had 
been  driven  to  the  sacrifice  to  satisfy  the  demands  of  the 
Northern  press  to  "  do  something."  It  had  been  robbed  of 
its  experienced  commanders  by  political  advisers  and  cliques 
in  Washington,  and  here  was  the  natural  result — disastrous 
failure.  The  General  should  not  be  blamed,  as  the  com- 
mand of  the  army  was  forced  upon  him,  and  he  did  the  best 
he  could  with  it  under  the  circumstances.  That  which  had 
been  looked  upon  by  the  people  of  the  North  as  so  much 
gasconade  in  the  Richmond  papers,  was  being  fulfilled  to  the 
letter.  This  was  the  sentiment  of  the  soldiers  at  the  time, 
and  it  has  not  been  changed  by  any  subsequent  develop- 
ments. 

On  the  night  of  the  i5th  the  regiment  fell  in  very  myste- 
riously, and  was  marched  toward  the  front,  down  a  street 
leading  by  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  After  some  delay  they 
were  finally  marched  into  a  large  grave-yard,  with  orders  to 
keep  very  quiet ;  all  the  orders  were  given  in  an  undertone. 
Here  the  men. laid  down  for  two  hours  among  the  graves  of 
the  departed  ;  pieces  of  pork  and  hard-tack  were  lying  about 
on  the  grave-stones,  and  all  those  who  were  hungry  had  a 
chance  to  satisfy  their  appetites.  But  no  one  was  very  hun- 
gry at  that  time ;  in  fact,  quail  on  toast  would  have  been 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  353 

no  inducement  whatever,  everything  looked  so  mysterious. 
One  of  the  men  came  to  the  conclusion  that  they  were  on  a 
hunt  for  the  bones  of  Washington.  It  was  an  aristocratic- 
looking  grave-yard. 

They  were  then  marched  into  another  grave-yard  nearer 
the  front.  The  men  looked  at  one  another  and  then  at  the 
Colonel,  tapped  their  foreheads  and  nodded  at  each  other 
knowingly.  Finally  they  were  marched  directly  to  the  front 
— all  the  orders  being  given  in  a  whisper — and  halted  near 
the  borders  of  the  canal.  A  part  of  the  Fifth  and  the  i46t.h 
Regiments,  aided  by  the  regulars,  dug  rifle-pits  and  built  bar- 
ricades across  the  streets  of  the  city,  so  that  the  enemy's  ar- 
tillery could  not  follow  in  their  final  retreat  in  the  morning. 
They  were  very  near  the  enemy,  worked  with  a  will,  and 
succeeded  in  throwing  up  a  line  of  intrenchrnents  along 
their  whole  front,  which  it  appears  completely  deceived  the 
enemy  in  the  morning  as  to  the  plans  of  General  Burnside 
and  the  movements  of  the  army  during  the  night.  General 
Warren,  who  had  command  at  the  front,  worked  indefatiga- 
bly  all  night,  both  mentally  and  physically,  as  he  always  did, 
and  it  seemed  as  if  he  was  at  all  points  at  the  same  time  ; 
everything,  even  the  slightest  details,  came  under  his  eye 
and  supervision.  Company  A,  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tain Whitney,  was  sent  across  the  canal  as  an  outer  picket, 
and  crept  out  to  an  old  tannery  very  close  to  the  enemy, 
who  were  also  digging.  They  could  hear  them  talking,  and 
some  of  their  pickets  were  on  the  other  side  of  the  tannery; 
one  of  them  was  heard  to  say  he  believed  the  "Yanks"  were 
near.  The  wind  was  blowing  quite  a  gale  from  the  south 
and  west,  and  therefore  the  enemy  could  be  heard,  but  our 
men  were  not ;  and  as  the  night  was  dark  and  cloudy,  both 
sides  were  shielded  from  observation. 

Company  I,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Montgomery, 
was  also  sent  out  to  the  front,  further  to  the  left,  near  the 
enemy ;  they  dug  "  fox  holes "  to  cover  themselves.  The 


354         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

positions  of  these  two  companies  were  very  dangerous  ;  they 
talked  in  whispers  when  it  was  necessary  to  speak,  and  their 
eyes  and  ears  were  strained  to  the  closest  attention,  so  that 
not  a  footfall  should  escape  detection.  They  were  so  close 
to  the  enemy  that  they  could  hear  their  conversation.  Their 
orders  were  not  to  be  taken  prisoners  or  surprised  on  any 
account.  As  soon  as  the  work  on  the  trenches  was  finished 
they  were  occupied  by  eight  companies  of  the  Fifth.  An 
earthwork  to 'cover  a  battery  of  artillery  was  thrown  up  in 
the  rear  of  them.  Toward  morning  the  men  were  ordered, 
in  an  undertone,  by  companies,  to  sling  knapsacks  ;  an  oc- 
casional twang  was  heard,  accompanied  by  a  flash,  which 
was  followed  by  the  sound  of  a  rifle-ball  hissing  near,  which 
told  the  men  that  the  Confederates  were  wide  awake.  The 
battery  in  the  rear  moved  off  with  muffled  wheels,  and  it  now 
flashed  upon  the  minds  of  the  knowing  ones  for  the  first  time 
that  the  army  was  retreating  across  the  river >  and  that  the 
regiment  were  to  cover  the  retreat  and  would  be  the  last  to 
leave. 

At  this  time  it  commenced  to  rain  in  torrents,  which  filled 
the  rifle-pits  ;  and  the  men  stood  in  mud  and  icy  water  up 
to  their  knees ;  the  water  ran  down  their  backs  and  chilled 
them  through  and  made  their  teeth  chatter.  The  gray  light 
of  the  morning  was  straggling  upon  them,  and  before  long 
they  would  be  discovered,  and  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  heavy 
guns  and  riflemen  would  be  concentrated  upon  them.  Offi- 
cers and  men  would  have  given  all  they  possessed  to  be  out 
of  that  position,  but  there  was  no  escape  until  further  orders, 
and  they  knew  it.  They  would  have  fought  to  the  last  man. 
In  times  of  danger  the  brief  and  stern  orders  were  the  more 
impressive. 

Their  salvation  depended  on  keeping  up  a  bold  and 
steady  front.  It  was  much  more  trying  than  an  active 
engagement  with  the  enemy.  They  knew  that  all  the  army 
had  fallen  back  to  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  that  their 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  355 

small  regiment  stood  alone  out  on  the  plain,  facing,  at  close 
quarters,  the  whole  Confederate  host,  with  the  batteries  on 
the  heights  frowning  down  upon  them,  and  that  if  they  were 
attacked  they  could  expect  no  succor  excepting  from  the 
ist  brigade  of  regulars  under  Colonel  Buchanan,  who  were 
drawn  up  near  the  pontoon  bridge,  when  all  would  have 
been  obliged  to  sell  their  lives  as  dearly  as  possible.  It  was 
fully  expected,  from  the  very  nature  of  the  undertaking,  that 
a  number  were  to  be  sacrificed  ;  and  who  of  the  number  was 
it  to  be  ? 

About  an  hour  and  a  half  before  daylight,  the  companies 
on  picket  crept  back  and  joined  the  regiment.  They  were 
moments  of  terrible  suspense.  They  could  now  see  the  Con- 
federate works  looming  up  on  the  heights  in  the  distance, 
and  a  company  at  a  time  were  ordered  to  crawl  away  to  the 
cover  of  a  large  store-house,  about  two  hundred  yards 
nearer  the  city.  At  this  point,  almost  all  the  regiment  were 
soon  assembled  ;  the  enemy's  bullets  were  whizzing  about, 
one  of  which  struck  the  brick  wall,  grazing  the  head  of  Col- 
onel Winslow.  Two  companies,  A  and  E,  were  left  behind 
in  the  pits  to  keep  up  a  fire  as  if  they  were  fully  occupied. 
It  was  now  light,  and  the  enemy  were  firing  at  the  men  in 
the  pits,  who  returned  the  fire. 

The  regiment  was  drawn  up  in  line  behind  the  wall  of  a 
grave-yard,  and  across  the  end  of  a  street  that  led  into  the 
city.  They  were  joined  by  the  few  men  left  behind  in  the 
pits,  at  a  few  minutes  past  seven  A.M.  The  two  other  regi- 
ments of  the  brigade  had  been  sent  across  the  river  two 
hours  before,  and  the  old  5th  New  York  Volunteers  was  the 
last  to  leave  the  front.  A  few  battalions  of  regulars  had 
been  drawn  up  on  the  edge  of  the  city,  further  to  the  right, 
to  make  a  show  of  force  to  the  enemy  ;  but  they  had  been 
ordered  to  retire  and  rejoin  the  ist  brigade  near  the  river. 

The  officers  and  men  were  becoming  anxious  for  General 
Warren,  who  was  sitting  on  his  horse,  perfectly  cool  and  col- 


356         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

lected,  on  the  right  of  the  regiment  to  give  the  signal  to 
move  off.  The  Confederate  officers  could  be  plainly  seen 
riding  from  one  fort  to  another,  as  if  making  observations  as 
to  the  situation  of  affairs.  Lines  of  troops  were  beginning 
to  form,  and  their  skirmishers  were  advancing.  The  suspense 
was  now  very  great ;  but  still  Warren  sat  on  his  horse  and 
gave  no  sign.  At  length  Adjutant  Marvin  approached,  and 
in  a  moment  the  welcome  order  was  heard — "  By  the  right 
flank  ;  forward  !  march  !  " 

Never  was  order  obeyed  with  more  alacrity.  Though  the 
danger  was  not  yet  over,  the  spell  was  broken  ;  the  regiment 
was  moving,  and  the  men  would  soon  know  their  fate,  and 
were  ready  to  meet  it.  They  expected  that  the  enemy 
would  be  upon  r.hem  like  wolves  after  their  prey,  and  they 
would  be  obliged  to  fight  their  way  through  the  city  and 
across  the  river,  and  that  most  of  them  would  probably  be 
sacrificed. 

They  were  marching  briskly  along,  being  saluted  by  the 
gibes  of  some  women,  from  a  house,  when  they  met  Major 
Cutting,  of  General  Sykes'  staff,  who  had  been  sent  to  see 
why  the  regiment  did  not  make  its  appearance  at  the 
bridge.  As  soon  as  they  crossed  over  a  little  hill  in  the 
street,  which  hid  them  from  the  sight  of  the  enemy,  the  order 
was  given,  "  Double-quick."  They  passed  by  the  ist 
brigade,  drawn  up  in  a  street,  who  immediately  followed  on 
in  the  rear,  and  the  head  of  the  column  soon  reached  the 
only  pontoon  bridge  remaining,  which  was  covered  with 
earth  and  straw  to  prevent  the  tramping  of  the  retreating 
troops,  during  the  previous  night,  being  heard  by  the  enemy, 
and  crossed  over  it  as  quickly  as  possible.  General  Sykes 
sat  on  his  horse  at  the  approach  to  the  bridge,  looking  as 
calm  as  if  on  parade.  The  engineer  corps  were  stationed 
at  intervals  on  the  pontoons,  ready  to  cast  them  loose,  which 
was  done  as  the  last  man  stepped  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river.  This  was  about  half-past  seven  o'clock  on  the  morn- 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  357 

ing  of  Tuesday,  the  i6th.  The  enemy  had  now  opjrud  with 
their  artillery,  and  the  shell  began  to  fly ;  but  the  Confeder- 
ates had  been  outwitted.  The  men  shook  hands  with  a 
feeling  of  relief  and  exhilaration  at  their  safe  escape. 

Under  the  circumstances,  the  retreat,  in  all  its  details,  was 
one  of  the  most  adroit  and  successful  military  events  that 
had  occurred  during  the  war,  and  the  credit  is  due  to  General 
Warren.  Officers  and  men  were  very  well  satisfied  that  they 
had  been  delivered  from  the  terrible  ordeal  that  threatened 
the  remainder  of  the  army. 

The  regiment  went  into  bivouac  near  Falmouth,  on  the 
same  ground  that  they  had  occupied  seven  days  before;  and 
here  was  this  much-abused  army  again  at  rest,  hav'ng  gained 
nothing  and  lost  about  eleven  thousand  men  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing.  While,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Con- 
federates, in  a  late  report,  stated  their  loss  to  be  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty-eight  in  killed,  and  three  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  forty-three  wounded;  but  among  the  killed  were 
recorded  the  names  of  Generals  Howell  Cobb  and  Maxcy 
Gregg,  the  latter  our  opponent  at  Games'  Mill. 

The  last  act  of  the  drama  remained  to  be  performed — to 
bury  the  dead.  A  detachment  was  sent  over  the  river  for 
this  purpose  under  a  flag  of  truce.  On  the  battle-field  was 
an  immense  building,  used  to  store  ice  ;  in  this  structure 
were  placed  nine  hundred  bodies  found  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  stone  wall  and  sunken  road.  Over  them  were  packed 
tons  of  ice,  and  they  were  left  to  dissolution  in  one  immense 
tomb.  They  had  died  together,  and  were  not  separated  in 
their  last  sleep.  The  dead  found  in  the  other  parts  of  the 
field  were  buried  where  they  fell.  Only  two  incidents  of 
the  vast  number  of  interesting  facts  of  this  remarkable  siege 
are  here  mentioned. 

Charles  H.  Wilson,  a  member  of  Company  G,  was  very 
badly  wounded  ;  a  ball  went  through  his  mouth,  dashing  out 
all  his  double  teeth,  and  disfiguring  him  for  life  ;  he  was 


358         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

conveyed  to  a  hospital,  and  given  up  as  a  hopeless  case  by 
the  surgeon.  He  heard  him  give  directions  to  one  of  the 
attendants  to  lay  him  aside  for  dissection,  but  strange  to  say 
he  recovered.  He  was  only  nineteen  years  of  age ;  a 
younger  brother  enlisted  with  him  in  the  regiment,  and  yet 
another  was  in  the  service  and  badly  wounded  in  the  knee 
at  Antietam. 

The  two  wounded  brothers,  when  they  were  able  to  be 
moved,  were  taken  to  the  home  of  a  widowed  mother  and 
kindly  cared  for.  These  young  patriots  had  been  her  main 
support,  and  left  good  situations  to  serve  their  country. 

A  soldier  of  the  regular  infantry,  whose  third  term  of  service 
(five  years  each)  was  about  to  expire,  had  permission,  as  is 
customary,  to  remain  in  the  rear  with  the  wagon-train  ;  but 
when  he  saw  his  brigade  moving  toward  the  scene  of  the 
battle  he  dashed  oft"  and  joined  them,  making  the  remark  to 
his  comrades  that  he  would  have  another  "  shy "  at  them, 
meaning  the  enemy.  It  was  his  last  battle  ;  this  true  soldier 
was  honorably  mustered  out  of  the  service  by  death  on  the 
battle-field. 

On  Wednesday,  the  i7th,  the  regiment  marched  three 
miles,  and  encamped  near  Henry  House,  on  our  old  camp- 
ground. The  1 8th  was  a  clear,  cold  day,  but  the  weather 
moderated.,  and  on  the  191!!  was  warm  and  pleasant.  In 
the  morning  we  had  a  brigade  inspection  ;  in  the  afternoon 
a  drill.  At  evening  parade  the  general  order  of  our  com- 
mander was  read  off.  The  precise  facts  as  to  the  covering 
of  the  retreat  at  Fredericksburg  have  never  been  published 
within  the  knowledge  of  the  writer.  The  credit  was  given 
by  one  correspondent  to  Butterfield's  brigade,  and  several 
regiments  that  left  the  city  an  hour  or  more  before  the 
movement  of  the  regulars  and  the  Fifth  'have  claimed  the 
honor.  The  official  order  of  General  Sykes  should  remove 
all  doubt  on  this  point.  It  was  as  follows : 


Battle  of  Fredericksburg.  359 

HEADQUARTERS  2D  DIVISION,  $TH  ARMY  CORPS,  J 
CAMP  NEAR  HENRY  HOUSE,  VA., 

December  18,  1862.  ) 
GENERAL  ORDER,  No.  49. 

The  General  commanding  desires  to  express  his  thanks  to  the 
officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the  division  for  the  cheerfulness, 
endurance,  and  valor  they  have  exhibited  in  the  recent  operations 
around  the  city  of  Fredericksburg.  Though  not  called  on  to 
share  in  the  direct  assault  upon  the  enemy's  intrenchments,  the 
position  assigned  them  was  one  of  equal  peril,  and  was  held  un- 
der, circumstances  that  tax  the  best  qualities  of  a  soldier — pa- 
tience, discipline,  and  courage.  The  ist  brigade  and  the  ^th 
New  York  Volunteers  (3d  brigade)  had  the  honor  to  cover  the 
withdrawal  of  the  troops  from  Fredericksburg.  This  manoeuvre 
was  accomplished  without  loss  or  disaster  of  any  kind,  and  with 
skill,  celerity,  and  boldness.  The  General  trusts  and  believes 
that  the  soldiers  he  has  the  honor  to  command  will  be  character- 
ized always  by  the  same  devotion  to  duty,  and  the  same  earnest 
desire  to  preserve  the  reputation  they  have  so  justly  acquired 
while  belonging  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

By  command  of 
Dec.  1 8,  1862.  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  SYKES. 

Official :  GEORGE  RYAN, 

A.  S.  MARVIN,  JR.,  A.  A.  G. 

A.  A.  General. 

The  following  magnanimous  avowal  and  noble  tribute  to 
the  army  of  the  living  and  the  dead  is  expressed  in  General 
Burnside's  report : 

"To  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers  who  accomplished  the  feat 
of  thus  recrossing  the  river  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  I  owe 
everything. 

"  For  the  failure  in  the  attack  I  am  responsible,  as  the  extreme 
gallantry,  courage,  and  endurance  shown  by  them  was  never  ex- 
ceeded, and  would  have  carried  the  points  had  it  been  possible. 

"  To  the  families  and  friends  of  the  dead  I  can  only  offer  my 
heartfelt  sympathies,  but  for  the  wounded  I  can  offer  my  earnest 
prayers  for  their  comfortable  and  final  recovery." 


360         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

.Thursday,  December  25th,  Christmas  Day,  divine  serv- 
ice was  held  in  the  open  air.  Six  days'  rations  were  dis- 
tributed, and  the  men  were  treated  to  a  dinner  of  boiled 
beans  and  pork ;  an  allowance  of  whisky  was  distributed. 
A  brigade  provost  was  established,  to  have  their  quarters 
near  General  Warren's  tent.  Lieutenant  Meldrum,  of  the 
Fifth,  was  assigned  to  the  command. 

On  Monday,  the  29th,  the  brigade  was  formed  in  line  of 
battle  at  TO  A.M.,  and  laid  under  arms  for  an  hour.  We 
heard  heavy  firing  at  the  front,  but  the  command  were  not 
wanted.  It  was  ascertained  that  Stuart's  cavalry  had  made 
a  dash  on  our  pickets. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

BATTLE  OF  CHANCELLORSVILLE — OUR  LAST  STRUG- 
GLE. 

THE  NEW  YEAR— THE  SITUATION — DEATH  OF  CAPTAIN  CAKTWRIGHT — MORTALITY 
— DESERTIONS — THE  DISLOYAL  PRESS  OF  THE  NORTH — THE  SOLDIER'S  SENTI- 
MENT—AN  ARMY  OF  WATER-CARRIERS— THE  MUD  MARCH— RESIGNATION  OF 
GENERAL  BURNSIDE  —  GENERAL  HOOKER  IN  COMMAND — PICKETED  IN  ICE — 
A  DEATH  IN  HOSPITAL — A  SUICIDE— GENERAL  WARREN  PROMOTED — A  DE- 
SERTED MANSION  —  PROVOST  GUARD  —  DEATH  OF  NICHOLAS  HOYT — BETTER 
SUPPLIES— A  SQUARE  MEAL— CAVALRY  SKIRMISH— ST.  PATRICK'S  DAY  IN  THE 
NINTH  MASSACHUSETTS  —  CAVALRY  FIGHT  —  A  SPY— A  SMOKY  CHIMNEY — A 
CRIPPLED  SHOEMAKER  ON  JEFF  DAVIS  —  ANNIHILATING  THE  MEN  OF  THE 
SOUTH  — A  REVIEW  —  HYBERNATING  UNDER  GROUND— EASTER— REVIEW  BY 
PRESIDENT  LINCOLN— THE  Two  YEARS'  MEN — GROWLING — REVIEW  BY  GENS. 

TOGLIARDI    AND    MEADE — AN    EXPLODED    SHELL — THE    TlME    FlXED — KELLY'S 

FORD — ELY'S  FORD — APPROACHING  FREDERICKSBURG — BATTLE  OF  CHANCEL- 
LORSVILLE—EIGHTH  PENNSYLVANIA  CAVALRY— THE  ENEMY  REPULSED— JACK- 
SON'S  ATTACK  ON  HOWARD — SICKLES— SLOCUM — FRENCH — CHANCELLOR  HOUSE 
BURNT — WOODS  ON  FIRE — THE  Two  YEARS'  MEN  RELIEVED — PARTING  WITH 
OLD  COMRADES — AQUIA  CREEK — HOSPITALITY  OF  THE  ZIST  NEW  YORK — 
WASHINGTON  —  BALTIMORE— PHILADELPHIA— JERSEY  CITY— NEW  YORK— OUR 
RECEPTION — NEW  YORK  Times — THE  FOURTH  REGIMENT — MUSTERED  OUT — 
IN  THE  BATTLE  OF  LIFE. 

THE  year  1862  passed  into  the  shadows,  "with  the  years 
beyond  the  flood,"  with  a  decimated  army  waiting  for  reor- 
ganization, and  its  thousands  of  invalided  and  wounded  men 
lying  in  hospitals,  some  with  shattered  constitutions,  some 
mangled  or  dismembered,  some  to  recover  and  rejoin  their 
comrades,  and  many  to  lie  down  in  a  soil  rendered  "  sacred  " 
by  the  blood  of  tens  of  thousands  of  freemen,  poured  out 
in  a  contest  for  power  by  the  advocates  of  the  demoniac 
system  of  American  Slavery.  The  masses  of  the  Southern 
people,  the  industrial  and  the  non-slaveholding  whites,  who 
were  trained  in  an  atmosphere  of  political  doctrines  which 
for  a  generation  had  been  antagonistic  to  the  Union,  and 
1 6  (361) 


362        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

whose  means  of  information  were  limited  to  the  local  press 
or  the  local  partisan,  were  in  heart  and  sympathy  attached 
to  the  Union.  But  their  feelings  had  become  •  bitterly 
aroused  against  the  North  by  the  falsehoods  of  their  leaders, 
who,  with  a  sublime  hypocrisy,  professed  to  be  the  only  true 
exponents  of  democratic  ideas,  governed  and  owned  in  fee 
simple  "  the  Democratic  Party,"  and  led  the  great  body  of 
the  working  classes  both  North  and  South  in  their  political 
opinions. 

The  commercial  and  political  value  of  slavery,  as  a  factor  in 
the  public  and  private  interests  of  these  men,  the  "  aristoc- 
racy "  of  the  slave-whip,  and  the  oligarchs  of  social  and 
political  circles,  made  these  classes  supreme,  and  the  majority 
had  no  alternative  but  to  submit.  Majorities  were  tolerable 
to  these  imperialists  so  long  as  they  were  convertible  to  their 
ends.  But  when  majorities  differed  with  them,  they  scorned 
"  Democracy,"  revolted  against  the  Union,  whose  rule  they 
had  so  long  boasted,  and  sought  to  crush  Union  and  genuine 
Democracy  in  blood. 

One  of  their  severest  blows  had  just  been  struck  at  the 
power  of  free  institutions  to  maintain  themselves  by  the  de- 
votion of  the  volunteers  on  behalf  of  freedom,  and  we  were 
just  crossing  the  bloody  ford  of  another  year  of  war  ;  our 
pontoon  was  lifted  behind  us,  and  although  scarred  and 
mutilated,  before  us  was  the  future,  and  we  knew  that  in  the 
blaze  of  the  nineteenth  century,  our  country  would  not  give 
the  lie  to  the  hopes  of  the  world  in  its  aspirations  after  liberty. 
It  was  a  contest  for  the  coming  centuries  and  for  generations 
unborn.  Let  the  armor  be  girded  on  anew. 

The  sentiment  which,  amid  all  the  disasters,  underlaid  the 
loyal  heart,  was  well  expressed  by  one  of  our  patriotic  writers- 
a  short  time  before  in  the  closing  stanza  of  a  poem  en- 
titled "The  Republic"  :* 


*  William  Oland  Bourne,  Editor  of  The  Soldier's  Friend. 


Camp  near  Henry  House.  363 

"  O  toiling  millions  on  the  Old  World's  shore  ! 

Look  up,  rejoicing,  for  she  is  not  dead  ! 
The  soul  is  living  as  it  lived  before, 

When  sainted  heroes  spurned  the  tyrant's  tread ; 
The  strife  is  earnest  and  the  day  wears  on, 

And  ages  tremble  with  the  mighty  blow- 
Beyond  the  conflict  is  a  glorious  dawn, 

A  rapturous  birth  of  Freedom  out  of  woe  ! 
•The  clouds  may  gather,  and  the  storm  be  long, 

And  lightnings  leap  across  the  darkened  sky, 
But  Freedom  lives  to  triumph  over  wrong ! 

It  still  will  live,  for  Truth  can  never  die  !  " 

Thus  opened  the  year  1863  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
There  was  nothing  but  the  calendar  to  mark  the  first  day  of  the 
new  year.  It  was  calm,  clear,  and  warm,  but  the  day  was  dull, 
uninteresting,  and  without  events.  No  cooked  dinner  was 
provided,  and  the  recruits  had  a  drill  as  an  appetizer  for  sup- 
per.. A  day  or  two  before  a  few  of  the  men  had  received  boxes 
from  their  friends  at  home  with  some  special  remembrances  of 
the  day,  but  the  loyal  thousands  who  had  come  out  of  one 
of  the  greatest  ordeals  of  death  and  slaughter  known  to  his- 
tory, in  defense  of  their  country,  submissively  took  their  ra- 
tions and  their  rest,  and  having  tendered  their  friends  at  home 
the  gift  of  their  lives,  wished  them  all  "  a  Happy  New  Year," 
in  the  hope  that  the  return  would  find  the  wish  realized  in 
the  enjoyment  of  peace. 

Intelligence  had  just  been  received  of  the  death  of  Captain 
Cartwright,  who  died  in  Washington  from  his  wounds  received 
at  Games'  Mill.  He  had  been  previously  severely  wounded 
at  Big  Bethel,  when  serving  as  a  private,  but  recovered  and 
returned  to  duty,  until  he  received  the  double  wound  from 
which  he  died.  He  was  a  young  man  of  great  promise,  and 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  At  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war,  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Messrs.  Lanman 
&  Kemp,  the  well-known  drug-house,  by  whom  he  was  highly 


364        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

esteemed.  He  enlisted  as  a  private,  but  rose  by  good 
conduct  and  attention  to  his  duties  through  the  different 
grades  to  a  Captaincy.  When  he  was  an  Orderly  Sergeant, 
and  mustered  his  company,  which  at  the  time  numbered  over 
ninety  members,  he  called  the  roll  from  memory,  taking  no 
notes  whatever  at  the  time,  but  was  never  known  to  omit  a 
name  or  fail  to  report  an  absentee.  Had  he  lived  he  would 
no  doubt  have  attained  an  honorable  distinction.  His  father 
was  Adjutant  in  the  Irish  Brigade,  and  several  of  his  imme- 
diate kin  were  officers  in  different  regiments  ;  one  was  a 
Colonel  of  a  Massachusetts  regiment ;  another  was  a  member 
of  the  Fifth,  and  was  honorably  discharged  on  account  of 
wounds.  Captain  Thomas  W.  Cartwright,  Jr.,  of  Company 
G,  died  for  his  country's  sake  in  his  twenty-second  year. 

There  was  more  or  less  mortality  in  some  of  the  regiments  ; 
the  i46th  New  York  had  a  daily  average  of  one  hundred  on 
the  sick-list.  They  laid  at  the  side  of  the  Fifth,  yet  we  had 
not  lost  one  man  by  sickness  in  this  camp,  and  but  few  were 
sent  to  the  hospital.  Captain  McConnell,  acting  Major  of 
the  Fifth,  resigned  his  commission  on  account  of  ill  health, 
and  retired  to  civil  life. 

The  class  of  Northern  journals  known  at  the  time  by  the 
political  soubriquet  of  "  Copperhead,"  and  their  sympathiz- 
ers, were  doing  much  to  demoralize  the  army  and  encourage 
desertion.  It  was  an  important,  but  despicable,  element  in 
the  political  history  of  the  time,  and  the  loyal  men  at  the 
front  were  compelled  to  feel  the  power  of  the  malign  influ- 
ence thus  exerted.  The  intolerance  of  the  Southern  leaders 
allowed  no  symptom  of  disloyalty  to  their  cause  to  be  mani- 
fested, and  no  word  to  be  spoken  in  opposition,  while  in  the 
North  the  most  intense  antagonism  to  the  loyal  cause  and  to 
the  Union  itself  was  continually  outspoken,  and  went  out  to 
the  country  in  millions  of  sheets  of  either  daily  or  weekly 
issue.  In  one  exceptional  case  the  publisher  of  the  most 
disloyal  sheet  north  of  the  Ohio  or  Potomac  achieved  such 


Mud  March.  365 

fame  and  popularity  that  he  transferred  his  chief  publishing 
bureau  to  the  city  of  New  York.  These  agents  of  disloyalty 
were  stinging  the  men  who  were  fighting  to  protect  their 
property  and  preserve  the  Union.  They  were  despised  by 
the  soldiers  in  the  army,  and  more  than  despised  by  the  Con- 
federates, who  looked  upon  them  with  utter  contempt.  A 
soldier  could  respect  a  brave,  open  enemy ;  but  men  who,  in 
the  hour  of  peril,  proved  themselves  so  recreant  as  these,  were 
worthy  only  of  the  scorn  of  all  loyal  men,  and  were  unworthy 
of  the  protection  they  dishonored  and  defied. 

On  Sunday,  the  4th,  the  regiment  was  inspected  by  the 
Division  Inspector.  The  8th,  the  5th  army  corps  was  re- 
viewed by  General  Burnside. 

The  late  defeat  had  somewhat  demoralized  the  new  troops 
(the  old  ones  were  used  to  them),  and  there  were  many  de- 
sertions. About  the  i5th  of  January  a  circular  was  issued 
from  headquarters  to  the  commandants  of  regiments,  caution- 
ing them  to  keep  a  strict  watch  on  their  commands,  as  the 
number  of  desertions  had  become  alarming.  General  Hooker 
said  that  10,000  had  deserted  since  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg.  At  the  last  review  of  the  5th  corps  there  were  prob- 
ably not  more  than  12,000  in  line,  and  about  as  many  more 
in  hospitals  and  in  convalescent  and  paroled  camps,  or 
absent  without  leave. 

On  Tuesday,  the  2oth,  in  obedience  to  orders,  we  struck 
tents  at  ii  A.M.,  under  threatening  weather,  with  a  chilly 
wind  blowing  from  the  east.  At  3  P.M.  we  marched  about 
two  miles,  and  bivouacked  in  the  woods.  The  road  was  so 
blocked  with  wagons,  artillery,  and  troops,  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  proceed  further.  It  commenced  raining  about  5  P.M., 
and  continued  all  night,  to  our  great  discomfort,  for  we  were 
not  only  cold,  but  wet  and  dripping.  In  this  condition  the 
reveille  roused  us  at  4  A.M.  on  Wednesday,  the  2ist,  while  the 
rain  was  still  falling.  Our  blankets  and  clothing  being  soaked, 
the  load  on  the  backs  of  the  men  was  very  burdensome. 


366        'Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  exact  amount  of  avoirdupois  we  never  ascertained,  by 
comparing  the  weight  of  a  dry  and  a  well-soaked  outfit ;  but  if 
the  whole  army  shared  the  burdens  as  we  felt  them,  we  had 
the  whole  Confederacy  on  our  backs  in  more  than  the  mili- 
tary metaphor.  At  daylight  we  again  took  the  road — if  such 
it  could  be  called,  for  it  was  a  sea  of  mud,  and  impassable 
for  wagons  or  artillery.  After  marching  about  five  miles  we 
encamped,  at  2.30  P.M.,  on  the  right  of  the  road,  in  a  cedar 
wood,  near  the  Rappahannock.  The  distance  traveled  was 
short,  but  the  march  was  a  trying  one,  and  about  one-half  of 
the  men  were  straggling  behind.  Only  about  two  full  com- 
panies of  the  1461)1  New  York  came  to  camp  in  time.  During 
the  night  four  of  the  three  years'  men  deserted  from  the  Fifth. 
In  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  about  thirty  were 
missing.  We  had  rain  all  the  next  day  (22d),  and  the  roads 
were  in  a  worse  condition  than  before.  Large  fires  of  logs 
were  built,  but  the  wind,  which  was  strong,  blew  the  smoke 
in  all  directions,  nearly  suffocating  every  one,  and  as  only 
half  a  man  could  be  dried  at  a  time,  the  other  side  was  wet 
through  again  during  the  operation.  But  the  men  bore  their 
discomforts  cheerfully,  and  were  enlivened  by  ballads  of  the 
sea,  sung  by  Jack  Whigam,  who  had  served  an  apprentice- 
ship in  the  navy,  and  was  at  the  bombardment  of  Vera  Cruz  ; 
" Butch"  and  others  also  contributed  their  share  to  the  en- 
tertainment. Our  storm  continued  through  the  night,  and 
all  of  the  23d,  the  army  being  imbedded  in  mud,  which,  by 
some  means,  seemed  to  cover  every  object,  animate  or  in- 
animate, in  the  army.  The  artillery  and  wagons  could  not 
move  a  foot ;  boxes  of  hard-tack  were,  of  necessity,  carried 
for  a  mile  or  more,  on  aching  shoulders,  from  the  wagons  to 
camp,  each  box  weighing  about  fifty  pounds.  Only  six 
crackers  were  allowed  to  each  man,  to  last  twenty-four  hours. 

The  pontoons  were  all  upset  and  lying  buried  in  the  mud 
along  the  roads,  while  the  drivers  were  absent,  trying  to  make 
themselves  comfortable.  Every  man  that  could  be  spared 


Mud  March.  367 

was  sent  out  to  corduroy  the  roads  back  to  the  old  camp 
and  help  drag  the  cannon  out  of  the  sloughs  ;  they  were 
buried  to  their  muzzles,  and  ten  horses  or  mules  were  hitched 
to  each  gun  and  caisson  to  draw  them.  The  Confederates 
across  the  river  knew  the  state  of  affairs,  and  their  pickets 
good-naturedly  called  to  the  Union  pickets,  and  asked  them 
if  they  wanted  any  help.  Having  had  such  an  ample  sup- 
ply of  water,  our  officers,  on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the 
24th,  kindly  issued  us  a  ration  of  whisky,  for  which  we  were 
duly  grateful,  and  at  8  A.M.  the  command  started  back  for 
their  old  camping-ground,  arriving  there  about  noon,  after  a 
march  of  seven  miles.  This  move  was  known  as  the  "  mud 
march."  "  Man  proposes  and  God  disposes."  General 
Burnside  could  not  control  the  elements. 

On  Sunday,  January  25th,  General  Burnside  resigned  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Wednesday,  the  28th,  General  Hooker  took  command  of 
the  army  ;  General  Meade,  of  the  center  grand  division, 
composed  of  the  3d  and  5th  corps,  and  General  Sykes  in 
command  of  the  5th  corps.  The  men  received  two  months' 
pay.  The  next  day  we  awoke  to  find  the  country  wearing 
a  dreary  aspect,  with  about  a  foot  of  snow  on  the  ground. 

On  Tuesday,  the  3d  of  February,  our  regiment,  with  the 
brigade,  went  on  picket  duty,  carrying  three  days'  rations. 
On  Friday,  the  6th,  they  returned  at  midnight,  their  clothing 
covered  with  ice.  They  had  a  rough  tour  of  duty  during 
the  four  days  they  were  absent  from  camp.  It  rained,  froze, 
snowed,  and  the  wind  blew  a  gale  nearly  the  whole  time. 
One  of  the  men  was  sent  back  to  camp  sick,  and  reported 
to  the  surgeon.  He  had  been  told  that  he  was  "  a  beat," 
and  playing  sick.  He  went  into  the  hospital  tent  and  laid 
down.  In  the  morning,  it  was  the  old  story — he  was  dead. 

The  next  day  a  shot  was  heard  just  outside  of  the  regi- 
mental camp.  The  provost  guard  repaired  to  the  spot  and 
found  a  soldier  lying  with  the  side  of  his  head  blown  off. 


368         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

They  dug  a  hole  a  foot  deep  and  buried  him  forthwith,  and 
took  his  rifle  and  belt  to  their  quarters.  About  an  hour 
afterward  a  Sergeant  of  the  regulars  came  to  them  and  said 
that  one  of  their  provost  guard  was  missing,  and  asked  for 
a  description  of  the  man  they  had  buried,  which  was  given  ; 
he  proved  to  be  the  missing  man.  It  was  a  case  of  deliber- 
ate suicide.  He  had  fixed  a  strap  so  as  to  discharge  his 
rifle  with  his  foot,  after  placing  it  at  the  side  of  his  head. 
They  opened  the  grave,  lifted  the  body,  and  buried  their 
late  comrade  in  the  division  burying-ground  on  the  hill. 

On  Tuesday,  the  loth,  the  regiment  was  thoroughly  in- 
spected by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webb,  Assistant  Inspector- 
General,  and  pronounced  to  be  in  the  highest  condition. 
Thursday,  the  i2th,  we  learned  that  General  Warren  had 
been  appointed  Chief  of  Topographical  Engineers,  on  Gen- 
eral Hooker's  staff.  Colonel  Garrard,  of  the  i46th  New  York, 
a  regular  officer,  was  placed  in  command  of  the  brigade. 

While  the  provost  guard  were  making  a  tour  on  the  i4th, 
they  stopped  at  what  had  once  been  an  elegant  mansion, 
but  at  this  time  was  dismantled  of  almost  everything.  A 
Corporal  and  two  men  were  stationed  at  the  house  per- 
manently to  preserve  it  from  further  destruction,  their  orders 
being  to  prohibit  any  one  from  taking  away  even  a  brick. 
Their  duties  were  also  to  arrest  any  soldier  they  found  out  of 
camp  without  leave.  Accordingly  they  were  in  the  habit  of 
hiding  and  watching  for  stragglers,  and  as  the  land  was 
cleared  of  trees  for  many  acres  in  extent  around  their  covert, 
they  seized  many  a  luckless  victim.  When  the  Sergeant  and 
his  squad  came  up  to  the  house,  he  found  the  Corporal  and 
his  two  men  in  an  altercation  with  a  Captain  from  one  of 
the  regiments,  who  had  several  men  and  a  wagon,  which 
they  were  loading  with  bricks.  Sergeant  Jack  Taylor,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  detail  of  the  provost,  and  was  one 
of  the  best  duty-men  in  the  regiment,  ordered  the  Captain 
to  stop  his  work  and  unload  his  wagon.  The  Captain 


Carnp  near  Henry  House.  369 

refused  with  an  oath,  and  the  Sergeant  was  about  to  arrest 
him,  by  force,  if  necessary,  when  an  officer  rode  up  on  horse- 
back, alone  and  unobserved  until  quite  near.  He  halted, 
and  it  being  discovered  at  a  glance  that  he  was  Major- 
General  Meade,  Taylor  had  his  squad  in  line  in  a  moment, 
right  dressed,  etc.,  with  as  much  ceremony  as  if  he  was  in 
command  of  a  battalion,  and  presented  arms.  "  What  is  the 
trouble  here,  Sergeant  ?  "  inquired  the  General.  The  Sergeant 
informed  him,  and  also  explained  the  orders  under  which  he 
was  acting,  when  General  Meade  turned  to  the  Captain  with 
a  severe  frown  and  reprimanded  him.  He  asked  his  name 
and  regiment,  and  told  him  that  an  officer  that  presumed,  by 
reason  of  his  superior  rank,  to  browbeat  those  who  were  not 
his  equal  into  disobeying  their  own  orders,  was  not  fit  to  be 
an  officer,  informing  him  that  he  could  return  to  his  regiment 
and  report.  The  officer  left,  evidently  feeling  very  much 
mortified.  He  then  commended  Taylor  and  his  squad  for 
doing  their  duty,  and  rode  on. 

At  another  time*  Sigel's  iith  corps  encamped  about  the 
house  overnight  when  on  a  raid.  The  demolition  would 
have  been  immediate  had  not  the  Corporal  of  the  provost 
(Powell)  gone  to  General  Sigel  and  told  him  what  his  orders 
were  ;  when  he  promptly  sent  an  order  for  a  guard  to  be  sta- 
tioned around  the  house.  In  the  morning  they  had  disap- 
peared as  suddenly  as  they  came  ;  but  when  Sergeant  Taylor 
arrived  there  in  the  afternoon  on  his  rounds,  he  found  a  couple 
of  German  soldiers  sitting  comfortably  by  a  fire  they  had 
made  in  one  of  the  fire-places  in  the  lower  story  of  the  house, 
engrossed  in  a  game  of  cards,  with  a  corpse  lying  near  tied 
up  in  a  blanket.  They  were  detailed  to  carry  their  deceased 
comrade  back  to  their  old  camp,  as  the  raid  would  last 
only  a  few  days,  and  they  were  glad  to  have  the  opportunity 
to  do  so,  and  thus  avoid  a  long  tramp  and  perhaps  a  fight. 
The  Sergeant,  on  being  informed  of  the  facts  by  the  Corpora), 
notified  the  intruders  that  he  would  be  compelled  to  arrest 
1 6* 


3/O        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

them,  corpse  and  all,  if  they  did  not  move.  They  thereupon 
collected  their  traps,  grumblingly  shouldered  their  burden, 
and  left.  These  incidents  illustrate  the  duties  of  the  provost, 
who  were,  in  fact,  the  police  of  the  army. 

On  Monday,  the  i6th,  a  heavy  detail  from  the  regiment 
were  employed  in  throwing  up  earthworks  to  protect  the  rail- 
road bridge  across  Potomac  Creek.  The  i7th  it  snowed  all 
day,  reaching  a  depth  of  four  inches,  and  the  next  day  it 
rained.  The  working  detail  returned  at  night,  wet,  tired,  and 
miserable.  Nicholas  Hoyt,  a  Sergeant  of  Company  C,  was 
buried  on  the  igth.  He  was  a  sailor  before  he  entered  the 
army,  and  was  one  of  the  old  Fort  Schuyler  men,  a  man  of 
the  true  stamp.  He  remained  faithful  to  the  last.  For 
months  he  had  been  wasting  away  from  a  troublesome  com- 
plaint, which  only  a  change  of  diet  and  rest  could  cure  ;  but 
he  would  not  yield,  doing  duty  day  after  day,  until  he  became 
so  weak  that  he  could  not  stand,  and  was  carried  from  his 
own  to  the  hospital  tent,  where  he  died  a  few  days  afterward. 
His  funeral  was  attended  by  Colonel  Winslow,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  George  Duryea,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  officers 
and  men. 

The  men  found  the  climate  at  this  time  as  changeable  as 
the  people  of  that  section  of  the  country.  The  condition  of 
the  army  was  improved,  for  with  temporary  rest  and  more 
liberal  supplies  they  had  enough  to  eat.  The  cry  of  the 
soldier  cooks  was  heard  occasionally,  "  Fall  in  for  your  ex- 
tras/' on  which  summons  the  men  rushed  out,  each  one  try- 
ing to  be  first  on  the  line,  with  tin  cup  in  hand,  scrambling 
and  pushing  to  the  infinite  diversion  of  the  crowd,  some 
of  whom  were  draining  what  remained  in  their  cups  to  make 
room  for  the  fresh  supply.  The  old  hands  at  one  time  played 
tricks  on  the  new  ones,  when  they  were  not  up  to  the  "  ways 
that  were  so  childlike  and  bland."  When  there  was  a  stew 
for  dinner,  at  the  given  signal  every  one  rushed  out  as  usual 
with  cup  in  hand.  The  "  old  ones,"  although  apparently  in 


Camp  near  Henry  House.  371 

a  great  hurry,  took  good  care  to  be  on  the  end  of  the  line  ;  the 
cook  being  a  two  years'  man,  and  consequently  sympathizing 
with  the  rest  of  us,  would  be  careful  not  to  dive  very  deep 
with  his  ladle  into  the  kettle  when  serving  the  recruits,  and 
the  "old  ones"  coming  last,  had  the  substantial  part  of  the 
stew.  The  law  of  gravitation  was  not  suspended  in  camp- 
kettles  even  in  Virginia,  and  the  solid  parts,  consisting  of 
chunks  of  meat  and  potatoes,  obediently  sank  to  the  bottom, 
and  "  last  come,  last  served  "  found  us  well  contented  with 
our  share. 

A  soldier  is  never  supposed  to  have  enough,  but  an  excep- 
tion was  found  one  day  in  the  case  of  a  man  who,  after  dis- 
posing of  a  couple  of  quarts  of  stew  and  six:  hard-tack,  to 
make  himself,  as  he  said,  "a  solid  man,"  actually  admitted  that 
he  had  enjoyed  "a  good  square  meal." 

Sunday,  February  22d  (Washington's  birthday),  it  stormed 
without  cessation,  and  by  nightfall  the  snow  in  some  places 
was  two  or  three  feet  deep.  A  number  of  convalescents 
from  hospitals  reported  for  duty.  Salutes  were  fired  in  honor 
of  the  day. 

On  Wednesday,  the  25th,  the  cavalry  pickets  had  a  skir- 
mish with  three  brigades  of  the 'enemy's  cavalry,  resulting 
in  some  loss  on  both  sides.  Reinforcements  and  artillery 
were  sent  out.  The  fight  occurred  about  two  miles  to  the 
front  of  the  infantry  pickets,  and  the  cavalry  came  flying  in 
through  their  lines,  some  of  them  without  their  arms  and 
bareheaded ;  the  men  expected  that  they  would  have  a 
brush  with  the  enemy.  The  reserves  were  in  arms,  but  the 
enemy  did  not  approach  us.  About  fifty  of  our  men  were 
taken  prisoners.  The  brigade  returned  from  picket  on  the 
evening  of  the  27th,  where  they  had  been  doing  duty  for  four 
days.  It  stormed  nearly  all  the  time,  and  they  passed  through 
many  disagreeable  hours.  The  brigade  was  again  on  picket 
duty  during  the  i4.th,  i5th,  and  i6th  of  March,  and  were  re- 
lieved on  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  the  lyth,  St.  Patrick's  Day. 


372         Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

The  day  was  celebrated  in  the  pth  Massachusetts  (the  Irish 
pth).  They  had  a  greased  pole,  twenty-four  feet  high,  on 
top  of  which  was  a  furlough  and  a  canteen  of  whisky.  They 
also  tried  to  catch  the  greased  pig.  There  was  a  horse-race 
for  quite  a  large  wager,  but  the  horses  came  into  collision, 
killing  both  of  them,  and  the  drivers  were  picked  up  insen- 
sible. An  amateur  prize-fight  was  also  witnessed.  Heavy 
firing  was  heard  all  the  afternoon,  and  it  was  supposed  that 
the  cavalry  had  encountered  the  enemy.  On  the  i8th  the 
cavalry  returned  and  marched  by  the  camp.  They  had  at- 
tacked Fitz  Hugh  Lee  near  Culpepper,  and  after  quite  a 
spirited  fight  had  routed  him  and  taken  fifty-five  prisoners, 
with  their  horses  in  addition,  killing  and  wounding  many 
others.  The  loss  on  the  Union  side  was  about  twenty. 
One  of  our  men  asked  a  fine-looking  prisoner,  who  had  on 
a  good  overcoat,  how  he  would  swop,  when  he  was  answered 
that  his  "  was  not  the  right  color." 

The  provost  guard,  on  their  rounds,  arrested  a  suspicious 
character,  in  citizen's  dress,  prowling  about  a  deserted  house. 
He  was  questioned,  and  acknowledged  that  he  came  from 
the  South,  and  was  once  in  the  rebel  army  ;  he  was  taken  to 
camp  and  put  under  guard,  and  afterward  turned  over  to 
the  Provost-General,  as  it  was  suspected  that  he  was  a  spy. 

One  day  the  guard  halted  at  a  log  cabin  occupied  by 
some  poor  whites  (three  women),  the  husband  and  brothers 
being  in  the  Confederate  army.  They  saw  the  women 
standing  outside  of  the  cabin  with  arms  resting  on  their 
hips,  gazing  at  their  chimney,  from  which  and  the  doorway 
came  thick  volumes  of  smoke.  The  Sergeant  thought  at 
first  the  house  was  on  fire,  but  soon  ascertained  from  the 

mother  that  the  chimney  only  smoked ;  "  it  was  the  

chimney  she  ever  seed,"  and  she  "  wished  that  the  man  that 
built  it  was  lying  dead,  stiff,  stark  and  naked  on  the  battle- 
field." 

The  mother  was  not  very  strongly  secessionist,  and  was 


Camp  near  Henry  House.  373 

only  anxious  that  the  war  was  over,  so  that  her  "  old  man  " 
could  come  home.  The  young  women,  however,  were  the 
strongest  kind  of  rebels ;  one  of  them  was  very  pretty  and 
smart,  and  the  provost  often  stopped  to  stir  up  her  rebel 
spirit. 

Another  house  the  provost  occasionally  visited,  was  occu- 
pied by  a  poor  cripple  and  his  family.  He  was  a  shoemaker 
by  trade,  and  appeared  to  be  quite  an  intelligent  man,  and 
opposed  to  Jefferson  Davis  and  the  Confederacy.  He  said 
that  he  had  escaped  conscription  so  far,  on  account  of  his 
lameness,  but  he  did  not  doubt  when  our  army  moved  away 
from  the  neighborhood  that  the  Confederates  would  make 
him  go  into  their  army  anyhow,  as  they  were  in  want  of  re- 
cruits badly.  He  also  said  that  Jeff  Davis  would  rather  have 
a  man  die  in  the  army,  whether  he  was  of  any  service  or 
not,  than  let  him  remain  at  home.  He  said  that  the  poor 
whites  were  worse  off  than  negroes,  and  were  not  allowed 
to  own  any  good  land,  as  that  was  all  monopolized  by  the 
rich  slave-owners,  and  they  were  obliged  to  cultivate  some 
barren  patch,  from  which  they  could  barely  raise  enough  to 
exist ;  therefore  it  was  of  no  advantage  for  them  to  fight  for 
the  rich  man's  negroes,  but  they  were  compelled  to  do  so. 
This  was  an  epitome  of  the  whole  of  the  controversy,  and 
of  the  facts  of  the  war  in  its  most  practical  form  by  one  of 
the  sufferers.  Southern  orators,  ex-rebel  chieftains,  and 
statesmen  of  the  "  State  Rights "  school  may  protest  now 
that  the  war  on  the  part  of  the  South  was  a  struggle  for 
"  constitutional  liberty  and  the  social  rights  transmitted  by 
our  Revolutionary  fathers,"  but  the  underlying  fact  will  re- 
main on  the  pages  of  history  that  they  attempted  to  destroy 
the  Union  in  the  interests  of  slavery,  and  it  perished  in  the 
attempt.  When  the  bitterness  of  the  disaster  to  the  South 
shall  have  passed  away,  and  the  authors  of  the  war  shall 
have  all  laid  down  in  the  grave,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  then, 
if  not  before,  we  shall  have  a  moral  reunion  all  the  grander 


374        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

and  greater,  that  our  land  is  uncursed  by  the  tread  of  the 
slave. 

On  Friday,  March  27th,  which  was  a  very  pleasant  day, 
one  of  the  few  which  had  favored  the  army  for  weeks,  the 
division  was  reviewed  by  General  Sykes — an  occurrence  which 
put  the  men  in  good  spirits,  reviews  under  fair  skies  having 
been  for  some  time  quite  rare.  One  of  the  correspondents 
for  the  press  reported  it  as  follows  : 

"March  28,  1863. — On  our  way  to  the  race-ground  we  en- 
countered the  division  of  Major-General  Sykes,  out  for  a  review 
and  inspection.  Sykes'  division  looked  well,  and  will  evidently 
give  a  good  account  of  itself  in  the  coming  struggle.  The  5th 
New  York  Volunteers  elicited  the  admiration  of  all,  and,  with 
due  deference  to  the  regulars,  it  must  be  admitted  that  this  regi- 
ment has  a  military  standing  not  exceeded  in  the  army.  Its 
present  commander  is  evidently  following  the  excellent  example 
and  instruction  of  its  former  Colonel  (now  Brigadier-General), 
Warren." 

General  Hooker,  at  this  date,  was  in  command  of  a  fine 
army,  in  good  condition  and  discipline ;  the  camps  were 
never  cleaner,  or  the  food  better ;  the  introduction  of  soft 
bread  was  a  beneficial  and  humane  act.  Nevertheless, 
about  one  hundred  men  in  the  division  had  died  since  we 
had  encamped  on  this  ground.  It  was  evidence  that  death 
by  the  bullet  was  not  all  that  the  soldier  had  to  contend 
with. 

The  month  of  April  opened  with  a  driving  gale,  cold  and 
fretful.  A  great  mania  sprung  up  among  the  men  for  the 
manufacture  of  laurel-root  pipes,  and  some  of  them  succeed- 
ed in  carving  and  finishing  numerous  specimens  in  an  elegant 
and  artistic  manner.  They  were  wrought  out  entirely  by  the 
penknife  ;  an  offer  of  $25  was  refused  for  one  of  them. 

The  weather  was  almost  trying  enough  to  drive  an  army 
mad,  situated  as  the  men  were  in  shelter-tents,  which  were 


Camp  near  Henry  House.  375 

of  such  limited  proportions  that  when  taking  refuge  in  them 
they  must  either  lie  down  or  sit  up  with  their  blankets  over 
them  all  day  long  in  stormy  weather,  if  they  wanted  to  keep 
from  freezing.  They  were  not  over  four  feet  high.  Some 
of  the  men  dug  pits  from  four  to  six  feet  deep,  and  covered 
them  over  with  their  shelters  ;  they  also  built  fire-places  in 
them  with  a  chimney  leading  out  to  the  ground  above.  Much 
ingenuity  was  displayed  in  making  them  comfortable,  although 
their  materials  and  tools  were  very  limited. 

Whatever  they  made  was  from  wood,  earth,  and  mud,  their 
tools  consisting  of  one  axe  to  a  company,  their  jackknives, 
and  a  borrowed  spade.  Nevertheless,  many  a  happy  hour  was 
spent  in  these  burrows,  increased  by  the  certainty  that  there 
were  neither  rent  or  taxes  to  pay  to  the  collector. 

Sunday,  April  5th,  the  snow  was  six  inches  deep  in 
drifts,  and  the  wind  blew  a  hurricane.  During  the  month  of 
March  there  had  been  only  one  really  pleasant  day,  and  the 
men  looked  forward  to  April,  hoping  for  a  change.  The 
roads  were  all  sloughs,  and  it  was  impracticable  for  the  army 
to  move  until  they  dried  and  hardened.  Thus  far  the  change 
had  not  come,  and  having  lost  their  patience,  they  arrived 
at  the  conclusion  that  the  sunny  South  was  a  myth.  The 
day  being  Easter  Sunday,  and  the  boys  not  having  any  eggs, 
were  obliged  to  put  up  with  bean  soup,  and  were  very  thank- 
ful to  get  it,  although  the  cook  failed  to  give  us  a  very  good 
exhibition  of  his  skill  in  its  preparation.  The  cooking,  of 
course,  was  done  in  the  open  air ;  and  sometimes  when  the 
wind  blew  strong,  the  kettles  would  be  hanging  three  or  four 
feet  from  the  heat  and  flame,  although  supposed  to  be  hang- 
ing directly  over  where  the  fire  ought  to  be.  Some  of  the 
men  occasionally  stood  in  a  row  to  keep  the. wind  from  the 
fire  as  much  as  possible,  being  rewarded  with,  to  them, 
the  rich  aroma  that  arose  to  their  gratified  nostrils  from  the 
boiling  bean  soup. 

On  Tuesday,  April  7th,  President  Lincoln,  in  company 


376        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

with  General  Hooker  and  staff,  General  Meade  and  staff, 
General  Humphreys  and  staff,  and  a  large  number  of  distin- 
guished officers  in  train,  reviewed  the  different  corps  of  the 
army.  The  Zouaves  were  called  out  alone,-  and  put  through 
some  movements,  in  ordinary  and  quick  time,  before  the 
President  and  company,  after  which  they  .closed  with  the 
manual  of  arms  and  bayonet  exercise.  The  distinguished 
company  seemed  to  be  highly  gratified  by  the  very  rapid 
movements,  changes  of  position,  and  the  uniformity  and  ex- 
actness with  which  all  the  orders  were  executed.  Through 
Colonel  Winslow,  the  highest  compliments  were  paid  the 
regiment  upon  their  proficiency  and  soldierly  appearance. 
One  of  the  provost  guard  who  was  on  the  detail  to  keep 
guard  near  the  cavalcade,  heard  the  President  make  the  re- 
mark that  it  was  a  "gallus"  regiment,  and  General  Griffin, 
who  was  near  by,  responded,  "  Yes !  and  they  can  fight  as 
well  as  they  can  drill." 

Colonel  Winslow  gave  the  regiment  a  drill  in  the  after- 
noon. Their  time  in  the  service  was  drawing  so  near  to  its 
close,  that  some  of  them  were  inclined  to  be  careless ;  but 
short  as  it  was,  each  day  seemed  a  long  one  to  the  old 
members. 

On  Tuesday,  the  I4th,  the  brigade  returned  to  camp  after 
spending  three  days  on  picket  duty.  Eight  days'  rations  and 
sixty  rounds  of  ammunition  were  issued  to  each  man  ;  ninety 
rounds  per  man  were  to  be  carried  in  the  wagons  when 
the  army  moved,  which  might  occur  at  any  moment.  The 
next  day  a  general  muster  was  held  to  ascertain  the  full 
strength  of  the  regiment.  The  division  was  reviewed  by  the 
Swiss  General,  Togliardi,  in  company  with  General  Meade, 
on  Saturday,  the  i8th.  The  Fifth,  after  returning  to  their 
camping-ground,  by  request  gave  a  drill  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  visiting  General.  The  hospital  tent  and  bread 
ovens  were  removed  on  the  same  day,  which  was  an  indica- 
tion to  us  of  an  early  movement. 


Camp  near  Henry  House.  377 

The  i gth  fell  on  Sunday,  which  was  a  warm,  pleasant  day, 
and,  withal,  there  was  much  excitement  in  camp.  The  Ser- 
geants and  men  reported  their  time  out.  The  Colonel  went 
over  to  headquarters  to  see  what  was  to  be  done  with  the 
regiment.  General  Hooker  went  to  Washington  to  consult 
about  the  two  years'  men  in  the  arrny.  On  his  return  Col- 
onel Winslow  formed  the  regiment  in  a  square  and  made  a 
speech,  hoping  that  for  the  good  name  they  had  earned  for 
themselves,  that  they  would  continue  to  do  their  duty  wil- 
lingly until  they  heard  from  the  War  Department.  The  men 
had  all  determined  to  do  no  duty  after  the  23d  of  April. 

An  accident  happened  in  the  forenoon  to  some  of  the 
members  of  a  battery,  which  was  encamped  opposite  the 
Fifth,  on  the  other  side  of  the  road.  It  was  being  inspected 
by  the  officers,  when  a  shell  in  one  of  the  caissons  exploded 
from  some  carelessness  and  badly  injured  and  burned  three 
men  ;  their  hair  and  whiskers  were  all  singed  off,  and  their 
faces  were  burned  black  by  the  powder.  The  explosion  threw 
a  large  piece  of  the  caisson  over  into  the  camp  of  the  Fifth, 
and  if  all  the  shell  had  burst,  the  loss  of  life  would  have 
been  fearful.  Some  of  the  Fifth  who  were  playing  ball,  ran 
over  to  see  what  had  occurred,  and  two  of  them  for  some 
reason  became  engaged  in  a  fight  on  the  spot  just  after  the 
injured  men  had  been  carried  away ;  others  were  pitching 
their  quoits,  and  did  not  have  curiosity  enough  to  stop  even 
to  inquire  into  the  cause  of  the  excitement.  It  was  a  cu- 
rious illustration  of  the-  influence  of  war  in  making  men 
thoughtless  of  life  or  death. 

At  the  morning's  inspection  the  Colonel  asked  the  Orderly 
of  Company  I  how  many  days'  rations  he  had  on  hand. 
He  replied,  "Five  days'."  To  the  question  what  the  men 
would  do  if  they  marched,  he  replied,  that  "  they  did  not 
expect  to  march  only  to  Aquia  Creek,  on  their  way  to  New 
York."  Under  the  expectation  of  moving  at  any  hour,  the 
order  was  to  have  eight  days'  rations  in  haversack  or  knap- 


378         Fifth  Neiv   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

sack  all  the  time.  The  officers'  tents  were  removed,  the 
small  shelter  tents  substituted  in  their  place,  and  their  bag- 
gage was  curtailed.  We  had  been  under  marching  orders 
for  a  week.  The  question  which  had  disturbed  the  regim-ent 
for  some  days  was  determined  on  the  2ist.  An  order  from 
headquarters  was  read  out  to  the  regiment,  notifying  them 
that  their  term  of  enlistment  would  expire  two  years'  from 
the  date  on  which  they  were  sworn  into  the  United  States 
service.  The  three,  years'  men  contended  that  they  were 
enlisted  under  false  pretenses,  as  they  were  promised  their 
discharge  with  the  regiment.  Orders  Nos.  44  and  85  were 
read  off  about  re-enlisting. 

On  Thursday,  the  23d,  the  two  years'  men  were  in  a  great 
state  of  excitement.  The  Colonel  arrived  from  headquar- 
ters and  assembled  the  regiment  in  a  square,  and  read  out 
special  orders,  that  the  Government  would  hold  them  until 
the  9th  day  of  May.  He  made  some  remarks  and  hoped 
that  they  would  do  their  duty  without  coercion  until  that  day. 
They  all  knew  the  consequences  of  insubordination,  and 
that  their  time  would  soon  be  up.  The  excitement  subsided, 
as  the  men  were  too  intelligent,  and  understood  their  duty 
too  well  to  make  any  further  resistance,  and  there  was  no 
more  trouble.  The  provost  arrested  two  men  for  declaring 
that  they  would  do  no  more  duty.  They  ran  the  risk  of  a 
trial  for  mutiny. 

The  long-expected  orders  to  move  came  at  last,  and  on 
Monday,  the  27th,  the  regiment  struck  tents  and  marched, 
about  10  A.M.,  to  Ellis  Ford,  a  distance  of  about  eight  miles, 
the  roads  being  dry  and  dusty,  and  we  went  into  bivouac. 
The  men  were  a  little  stiff  on  account  of  having  laid  in  camp 
for  so  long  a  time.  There  was  much  dissatisfaction  in  the 
regiment  among  the  three  years'  men,  who  expected  to  be 
mustered  out  with  the  regiment,  and  some  of  them  dropped 
out  on  the  road  and  eluded  the  guard.  Some  of  these  men 
had  cause  to  feel  dissatisfied  and  aggrieved,  as  it  had  been 


Battle  of  Chancellor sville.  379 

represented  to  them  when  they  enlisted  that  they  would  cer- 
tainly be  discharged  with  the  regiment.  One  hundred  men 
were  detailed  to  guard  the  wagons  and  trains.  The  non- 
commissioned officers,  which  included  the  greater  part  of  the 
two  years'  men,  were  kept  with  the  main  body.  The  next 
afternoon  we  left  at  4  o'clock,  and  advanced  nine  miles  in 
the  rain  over  muddy  roads,  broken  by  water-runs,  and  halted 
at  10  P.M.  to  bivouac.  Twenty  rifles  were  left  in  this  camp 
in  the  morning  belonging  to  as  many  three-year  men,  who 
had  taken  the  opportunity  of  darkness  to  forsake  us  rather 
than  be  consolidated  with  the  i46th  New  York,  to  serve  out 
the  remainder  of  their  term.  On  Wednesday,  the  2 9th,  we 
fell  in  at  8  A.M.,  crossed  the  pontoons  at  Kelly's  Ford,  and 
passed  through  the  flourishing  town  of  Kellysville,  consisting 
of  six  dwellings  and  a  grist-mill,  which  was  constantly  used 
by  the  enemy.  We  pressed  on  and  forded  Mountain  Run, 
a  wide  stream,  which  soaked  our  clothing  to  our  waists. 
After  all  had  crossed  we  resumed  the  march,  and  finally 
reached  Ely's  Ford  on  the  Rapidan.  The  river  was  wide 
and  very  rapid  ;  the  water  above  the  waist,  and  the  bottom 
rocky.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  the  men  could  keep 
their  feet.  Most  of  the  men  went  in  in  full  uniform  ;  "  but 
some  comical  scenes  were  presented  by  the  men  taking  off 
their  pants,  or  starting  on  the  voyage  as  they  came  into  the 
world,  with  the  exception  of  their  having  baggage  with  them." 
Cartridge-boxes  were  hung  about  the  neck  or  put  on  top  of 
the  knapsacks  to  keep  the  "powder  dry."  We  resumed  our 
journey,  and  after  going  two  miles  beyond  the  river,  went 
into  bivouac,  having  advanced  about  twenty  miles.  This 
march  was  a  very  trying  one,  and  the  roads  were  strewn 
with  knapsacks  and  superfluous  clothing  accumulated  dur- 
ing the  winter  months,  which  were  thrown  away  by  the  men, 
not  being  any  longer  required.  Cannonading  was  heard 
during  the  day  in  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg.  Our 
inarch,  on  the  morning  of  the  3oth,  brought  us  within  half  a 


380         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

mile  of  the  United  States  Ford.  The  weather  was  cloudy, 
with  at  times  a  drizzling  rain.  We  rested  half  an  hour  and 
advanced  toward  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  position  at  Freder- 
icksburg, and  the  division  took  up  a  position  under  arms  for 
the  night,  it  being  in  the  advance.  We  had  inarched  fifty- 
six  miles  in  four  days. 

The  following  extract  from  the  New  York  Daily  Times  of 
May  4,  1863,  gives  a  general  account  of  the  movements  of 
Sykes'  division  on  Friday,  May  ist : 

"  The  division  marched,  about  9  A.M.,  to  the  left  on  the  turn- 
pike, toward  Fredericksburg,  to  make  an  attack  and  compel  the 
enemy  to  develop  his  strength  at  that  point.  They  moved 
promptly  into  position,  with  Weed's  former  regular  battery  (but 
now  Watson's).  The  enemy  fired  the  first  gun  at  12  o'clock. 
The  8th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  skirmished  in  the  very  front  for 
some  time,  and  sustained  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy's  infantry, 
but  behaved  with  great  intrepidity.  They  charged  and  re-charged 
upon  the  infantry,  only  to  be  in  turn  driven  back.  General  Sykes 
then  threw  forward  two  companies  of  infantry,  without  knapsacks, 
on  the  double-quick,  who  supported  the  cavalry  and  checked  the 
further  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  The  action  now  became  quite 
general  between  the  two  forces,  each  seeming  to  be  of  about 
equal  strength.  [The  enemy's  force  thus  engaged  was  Mahone's 
brigade,  supported  by  McLaw's].  The  enemy  contested  th- 
ground  vigorously,  giving  way  only  when  pressed  very  hard.  Our 
troops  fought  for  fully  an  hour  with  great  spirit,  and  drove  the 
enemy  from  two  successive  and  strong  positions  upon  ridges  of 
land  which  run  parallel  with  the  Rappahannock.  The  distance 
thus  gained  was  nearly  one  mile  nearer  Fredericksburg,  and 
some  fifty  prisoners,  mostly  belonging  to  Virginia  regiments, 
were  captured. 

"  About  half-past  i  o'clock,  just  as  Colonel  Chapman,  com- 
manding the  2(1  brigade  of  regulars,  had  expressed  a  desire  to 
'take  another  ridge,' an  order  was  received  by  General  Sykes 
from  General  Hooker  to  suspend  the  attack  and  retire  nearly  to 
his  former  position."*  "  At  2  P.M.  General  Hooker  remarked, 

*  General  Warren,  at  this  time  Chief  of  Topographical  Engineers,  "  who  bore 
the  order,  had  vainly  urged  that  it  should  not  be  sent."  Generals  Couch  and  Han- 


Battle  of  Chancellor sville.  381 

'I  think  I  can  make  them  come  out  and  fight  me  on  my  own 
ground.'  In  two  hours  the  assertion  was  proven.  The  enemy 
mistook  our  voluntary  retirement  for  a  check,  and  followed  us 
rapidly  as  we  fell  back. 

"  The  division  had  taken  their  old  position,  and  pickets  were 
thrown  out,  when  the  enemy  again  appeared  in  force  on  the 
ridge,  at  the  foot  of  which  we  lay.  Our  men  had  stacked  arms 
and  were  at  rest.  The  whole  division,  save  the  Duryee  Zouaves, 
were  lying  at  nearly  right-angles  with  the  road.  The  Zouaves 
were  parallel  with  the  road.  Quick  as  thought  General  Sykes 
brought  his  men  into  line,  the  Zouaves  on  the  left  half  wheeling 
into  line  of  battle  like  a  machine. 

"  The  enemy  paused  a  moment  on  the  top  of  the  ridge,  and,  as 
if  to  nerve  them  for  the  onset,  gave  one  of  their  proverbial  de- 
moniac yells,  and  came  down  on  the  double-quick,  shooting,  cap- 
turing, and  literally  running  over  the  pickets,  who  scrambled 
behind  all  sorts  of  obstructions."  [Some  of  the  Fifth,  who  were 
on  picket,  came  in  the  next  day  ;  one  of  them,  a  Sergeant,  brought 
in  five  rebel  prisoners.]  "  But  in  an  instant  more  a  terrible  crash 
resounded  from  the  Zouave  end  of  the  line,  and  down  the  column 
rolled  a  deafening  roar  of  musketry.  It  did  not  last,  apparently, 
two  minutes,  but  its  work  was  effective.  The  firing  at  once 
brought  General  Hooker  into  the  saddle.  This  onslaught  by  the 
enemy  was  for  the  purpose  of  re-taking  the  cross-roads  ;  a  very 
important  point.  The  first  thing  done  after  this  was  the  massing 
of  artillery  near  the  roads,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  twenty-two 
guns  were  sending  shell  into  the  woods,  and  the  roar  of  artillery 
became  ten  times  more  deafening  than  that  of  the  musketry  had 
been.  The  work  was  soon  done.  The  contest  lasted  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour  at  this  point,  and  the  enemy  ignominiously 
retired." 

The  loss  in  the  division  was  light,  amounting  to  about  one 
hundred  in  killed  and  wounded.  Captain  Marsh,  of  the  1 7th 
Infantry,  was  killed.  Captain  Overtoil,  of  General  Sykes' 
staff,  was  wounded ;  Lieutenant  Wells,  i4th  Infantry, 
wounded.  In  the  Fifth  only  about  half  a  dozen  were 

cock,  advancing  on  parallel  roads  to  Sykes,  on  either  flank,  also  protested  against 
it.  "  Hancock  thought  that  they  should  advance  instead  of  retreating." 


382        Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

wounded.  They  being  on  the  left,  were  able  to  pour  an 
effective  fire  into  the  flank  of  the  enemy,  and  were  shielded 
somewhat  themselves  behind  an  embankment.  During  the 
night  the  men  were  engaged  in  digging  rifle-pits.  The 
enemy's  fires  burned  unusually  bright,  and  extended  along 
the  heights  for  several  miles.  A  battle  was  regarded  as  in- 
evitable. 

Fifty  men,  five  from  each  company,  were  sent  out  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Gedney,  to  act  as  pickets;  they 
went  about  half  a  mile,  and  took  a  position  in  the  cut  of  a 
road,  keeping  well  covered,  and  a  few  of  them  were  sent  for- 
ward and  deployed  in  the  woods  as  an  outpost,  so  as  to  keep 
a  sharp  lookout.  It  was  a  bright  moonlight  night,  and  there 
was  not  much  danger  of  a  surprise,  but  it  was  a.  dangerous 
post,  as  the  enemy  would  make  their  first  advance  in  that 
direction  from  Fredericksburg.  About  midnight  their  ears 
detected  a  slight  rustling  of  the  leaves  scattered  over  the 
ground  in  the  woods  front  of  them,  and  soon  it  became  more 
distinct,  and  the  tramp  of  men  was  heard.  The  Lieutenant 
cautioned  his  men  to  keep  quiet,  and  not  to  fire  until  he  gave 
the  order.  They  soon  saw  a  long  line  of  the  enemy  ap- 
proaching in  the  woods,  being,  as  well  as  they  could  judge, 
some  five  or  six  companies,  and  the  few  men  on  outpost 
duty  fell  back  to  the  reserve.  The  enemy  must  have  dis- 
covered them,  for  they  heard  an  officer  say,  "  Steady,  men ; 
they  are  nothing  but  pickets,  and  we  will  walk  right  over 
them."  At  this  moment  Gedney  gave  the  order,  "Fire" 
and  the  flash  of  fifty  rifles  told  that  the  order  was  obeyed. 
They  immediately  received  a  volley  in  return,  most  of  which 
went  over  their  heads,  as  they  were  lying  behind  the  em- 
bankment at  the  side  of  the  road,  but  it  wounded  two  of 
them.  A  bullet  also  struck  the  scabbard  of  the  Lieutenant's 
sword,  bending  it.  They  immediately  loaded  again  and  fired, 
but  the  enemy  retreated  in  confusion,  supposing  that  they  had 
come  into  contact  with  a  large  force,  their  object  evidently 


Battle  of  Chaiicellorsville.  383 

being  only  to  feel  the  lines  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the 
Union  troops.  From  the  groaning  in  the  woods  during  the 
remainder  of  the  night,  they  judged  that  their  fire  had  done 
good  execution.  A  regular  officer  with  some  troops  came  up 
on  a  double-quick  in  a  few  moments,  and  after  ascertaining  the 
cause  of  the  firing,  told  the  Lieutenant  that  he  had  done 
well.  Toward  morning  they  were  again  approached,  but 
drove  the  enemy  back.  After  daylight  an  officer  of  the  reg- 
ulars rode  up  and  ordered  them  to  march  on  a  double-quick, 
and  rejoin  the  command,  which  they  found  had  moved. 

When  the  morning  of  the  2d  broke,  it  found  both  sides 
well  intrenched.  The  division  remained  in  line  of  battle  dur- 
ing the  day,  and  the  enemy  spent  their  time  in  feeling  the 
lines  of  the  army  further  to  the  right.  They  opened  a  bat- 
tery on  the  ammunition  wagons ;  one  of  ours  promptly  re- 
sponded, and  blew  up  two  of  their  caissons,  which  obliged 
them  to  withdraw. 

About  5  P.M.  Jackson,  with  40,000  men,  made  a  terrific 
onslaught  on  the  nth  corps,  under  General  Howard,  on  the 
right,  surprising  them  completely.  General  Berry,  in  com- 
mand of  a  division  of  General  Sickles'  3d  corps,  was  sent  to 
the  rescue  on  double-quick  after  dark,  and  checked  the 
enemy,  aided  by  General  Birney's  division  of  the  same 
corps  ;  and  Best's  batteries  (36  guns),  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant  Franklin  B.  Crosby,  which  were  ordered  there 
by  General  Warren.  Lieutenant  Crosby  was  killed.  The 
Confederates  withdrew  to  the  line  of  breastworks  just  vaca- 
ted by  the  nth  corps.  The  regulars  were  sent  after  the  fu- 
gitives who  were  flying  in  a  panic  toward  United  States 
Ford.  They  lost  twelve  pieces  of  artillery  besides  many 
prisoners,  and  General  Howard  was  wounded  while  trying  to 
rally  them.  Bushbeck's,  with  Schimmelfennig's  brigade,  and 
the  82(1  Illinois,  and  15 7th  New  York  with  Dilger's  battery, 
however,  fought  until  they  were  overpowered  by  numbers. 
The  disaster  to  this  corps  foiled  a  maneuver  attempted  by 


384        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Sickles,  who  pressed  the  enemy's  center,  and  would  have 
gained  a  splendid  victory  by  cutting  the  Confederate  arrny 
in  two. 

In  the  night  an  attack  was  made  on  the  right  to  restore 
the  Union  lines.  The  moon  shone  bright,  and  the  firing 
was  very  heavy ;  the  roar  and  reverberation  of  Captain 
Best's  artillery,  posted  on  a  ridge,  was  past  all  conception. 
The  enemy  were  driven  half  a  mile,  and  a  portion  of  the 
artillery  lost  was  recaptured  by  General  Hobart  Ward. 

About  6  P.M.  the  5th  corps  (Sykes'  division  included)  was 
ordered  to  the  right,  and  remained  in  line  of  battle  all  night, 
and  was  also  engaged  in  digging  intrenchments  to  strengthen 
their  position.  The  nth  corps  was  reorganized  and  placed  on 
the  extreme  left  behind  the  strong  intrenchments  built  by  the 
5th  corps,  where  it  was  probable  there  would  be  little  or  no 
fighting.  Thus  closed  the  second  day  of  this  memorable 
contest. 

On  Sunday,  the  3d,  the  division  was  placed  at  the  apex  of 
the  lines,  to  the  right  of  the  Chancellor  House,  near  the  cen- 
ter, where  all  the  reserve  artillery  was  massed,  with  only  room 
enough  between  the  guns  to  work  them.  The  lines  of  the  army 
were  in  the  form  of  two  sides  of  a  triangle,  the  right  longer  than 
the  left.  The  ist  corps,  under  General  Reynolds,  held  the  ex- 
treme right  of  the  line  ;  the  5th  corps,  Meade's,  was  on  their 
left.  At  5>£  A.M.  the  enemy  attacked  General  Berry's  division 
of  the  3d  corps,  with  the  design  of  recovering  the  plank-road. 
The  rest  of  the  corps,  and  a  part  of  the  Twelfth  (Slocum's), 
were  soon  engaged  in  his  support.  French's  division,  of  the  2d 
corps,  was  sent  in  on  the  right  at  7  A.M.,  and  crushed  that 
portion  of  the  enemy's  line.  The  crashes  of  musketry  were 
terrific,  and  the  roar  of  the  battle  was  incessant.  Sickles' 
3d  corps  fought  parts  of  five  divisions  of  the  enemy  at  differ- 
ent times,  and  took  2,000  prisoners  ;  but  being  hard  pressed, 
Hancock's  division,  of  the  2d  corps,  was  sent  to  his  relief. 
General  Humphrey's  division,  of  the  5th  corps,  were  also  en- 


Battle  of  Chancellor sville.  385 

gaged  on  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  and  fought  valiantly. 
Most  of  the  fighting  was  in  a  thick  wood,  and  the  carnage 
was  frightful ;  the  dead  and  wounded  of  the  enemy  lay  in 
heaps,  and  they  fought  as  if  they  were  utterly  regardless  of 
their  lives.  Many  desperate  charges  were  made  by  the 
Union  troops ;  Mott's  brigade  captured  seven  stand  of 
colors  and  many  prisoners.  The  engagement  lasted, 
without  the  slightest  intermission,  from  $}4  A.M.  until 
8.45  A.M.,  when  a  temporary  cessation  occurred  on  our 
side  by  the  troops  getting  out  of  ammunition.  They 
were  ordered  to  fall  back  after  holding  the  position  in  the 
woods  for  an  hour  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  to  the  vicinity 
of  the  Chancellor  House.  Here  the  contest  was  maintained 
for  an  hour  or  more,  with  great  havoc  to  the  enemy  and  con- 
siderable loss  to  the  Union  forces.  This  house  was  the  head- 
quarters of  General.  Hooker,  and  was  now  the  focus  of  the 
fight.  It  was  set  on  fire  by  the  enemy's  shell,  and  was  soon 
in  ruins.  The  new  line,  which  had  been  supervised  by  Gen- 
eral Warren,  was  now  established,  and  the  forces  withdrawn 
to  it  on  that  front,  at  half-past  eleven  the  musketry  fire 
ceased.  The  engagement  had  lasted  six  hours,  and  had 
been  one  of  the  most  terrific  of  the  war. 

While  the  battle  was  raging,  General  Hooker  ordered  that 
the  bands  should  play,  to  inspirit  the  men.  One  of  them 
was  blowing  away  at  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  when  a 
shell  made  a  close  flight  over  their  center.  This  uninvited 
companion  "took  the  wind"  out  of  some  of  the  players, 
and  they  got  somewhat  mixed.  Under  the  circumstances, 
the  way  in  which  our  national  air  was  murdered  would  have 
driven  a  professor  of  music  to  suicide. 

The  enemy  were  now  no  longer  in  the  rear,  but  had  been 
shoved  down  directly  in  our  front,  and  between  the  forces 
of  General  Sedgwick  that  had  captured  Fredertcksburg 
Heights,  ten  miles  away  to  the  left,  and  General  Hooker's 
main  army.  General  Sykes'  division  had  been  under  fire, 
17 


386        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

and  there  was  a  considerable  loss  among  the  regulars,  espe- 
cially among  the  artillerists ;  Captain  Temple,  Second  In- 
fantry, was  killed  ;  Captain  Morehead,  Seventeenth,  and  Cap- 
tain Armes,  were  wounded.  The  Fourth  United  States,  bat- 
tery K,  lost  heavily,  forty-eight  being  killed  or  wounded,  be- 
sides many  of  their  horses.  The  forces  of  the  enemy  en- 
gaged were  the  divisions  of  Anderson,  Hood,  A.  P.  Hill,  D. 
H.  Hill's  old  division,  and  Rhodes. 

In  the  afternoon  the  enemy  made  several  desperate  at- 
tempts to  force  the  lines  near  the  Chancellor  House,  and 
charged  at  one  time  on  the  massed  batteries,  being  formed 
in  the  shape  of  a  wedge,  but  they  were  cut  down  before  they 
could  get  far,  as  they  were  obliged  to  charge  over  the  only 
clearing  there  was  on  the  whole  field  of  battle,  which  was 
about  a  mile  in  length  by  half  a  mile  in  breadth.  Nothing 
could  live  in  front  of  the  batteries.  The  position  of  the 
Fifth  was  near  these  guns.  General  Hooker  rode  up  at  one 
time  and  called  out,  "Is  that  the  Fifth  New  York?" 
"Yes!"  was  the  reply.  "All  right!"  he  exclaimed,  and 
rode  off.  The  shell  from  these  guns  set  the  brush  in  the 
woods  on  fire,  where  were  lying  hundreds  of  the  wounded 
of  the  enemy,  as  well  as  some  of  our  own.  The  terrible 
sufferings  of  the  wounded  and  dying,  under  the  double  hor- 
ror of  being  burned  to  death,  made  this  contest  more  tragic 
in  this  respect  than  any  of  its  predecessors. 

The  regiment  held  the  same  position  that  had  been  as- 
signed to  it  the  day  before,  when  the  order  came  from 
General  Sykes  to  turn  over  the  three-year  men  to  the  146111 
New  York,  Colonel  Garrard,  who  was  also  acting  in  com- 
mand of  the  brigade,  formerly  Warren's,  and  for  the  two 
years'  men  to  retire.  In  fact,  they  were  released  from  their 
duties,  and  their  trials  in  the  army  were  about  to  cease. 
They  could  scarcely  realize  it,  and  were  utterly  bewildered 
with  the  intelligence.  The  reaction  from  their  feelings  of 
intense  anxiety  and  suspense  as  to  whether  they  were  to  be 


Battle  of  Chancellor sville.  387 

killed,  perhaps  an  hour  before  the  order  for  their  relief 
should  come,  and  they  should  never  see  their  loved  ones 
at  home  again,  can  not  be  described.  If  they  had  had 
another  year  to  serve,  it  would  have  been  a  matter  of  in- 
difference as  to  where  they  were;  but  under  the  circum- 
stances they  could  be  compared  to  mariners  who  had  passed 
through  a  long  and  tempestuous  voyage,  and  at  last  were  in 
sight  of  their  homes,  when  another  storm  had  reached  them 
and  they  knew  not  but  that  they  might  be  engulfed  before 
they  should  reach  a  friendly  port. 

The  regiment,  as  an  organization,  terminated  its  service 
amid  the  reverberations  of  artillery,  the  crash  of  arms,  the 
smoke  of  the  battle-field,  the  funereal  pall  of  the  smoke  in 
the  burning  woods,  consuming  hundreds  of  brave  men  im- 
molated in  unrecognizable  masses. 

"  And  now  four  days  the  sun  had  seen  our  woes, 
Four  nights  the  moon  beheld  the  incessant  fire." 

The  rest  of  the  story  of  this  engagement  belongs  to  the 
records  of  others,  to  whom  we  gratefully  pay  our  tribute  of 
praise  and  honor. 

The  regiment  was  drawn  up  in  line,  and  the  following 
order  was  read  off: 

HEADQUARTERS,  2d  DIVISION,  STH  CORPS, 
CAMP  NEAR  CHANCELLORSVILLE,  VA., 

May  4,  1863. 
GENERAL  ORDER,  No.  99. 

The  term  of  service  of  a  portion  of  the  5th  Regiment  being 
about  to  expire,  the  Major-General  commanding  desires  the 
officers  and  men  to  know  that  he  parts  from  them  with  very 
great  regret,  a  regret  which  he  is  confident  is  shared  with  the 
whole  division.  The  regiment  has  been  distinguished  in  all  the 
operations  of  his  command,  especially  at  Games'  Mill  and  the 
battle  of  Manassas  Plains.  Its  ranks,  thinned  and  scarred  by 
battle,  are  the  best  and  proudest  witness  of  the  fact.  The 


388        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

General  hopes  to  see  again  the  brave  men  who  have  served  un- 
der him.  Many  of  their  comrades  still  have  to  hold  in  trust  the 
respect  of  the  old  regiment,  and  the  General  has  no  fears  but 
that  it  will  be  sacredly  guarded  and  preserved.  The  officers  and 
men  who  are  to  leave  this  army  will  proceed  to  New  York  on 
the  5th.  Colonel  Winslow  will  turn  in  to  the  proper  department, 
at  Aquia  Creek,  all  ordnance  stores,  and  all  supplies  or  property 
not  needed  for  the  men  who  remain. 

II.  The  three-year  men  of  the  5th  Regiment  New  York  Vol- 
unteers are  transferred  to  the  I46th  New  York  Volunteers ;  the 
proper  officers  will  see  the  necessary  papers  are  furnished  to  that 
effect. 

By  command  of 

GENERAL  SYKES, 

G.  RYAN, 
Captain^  A.  A.  General. 

The  question  whether  the  three-year  members  of  the  Fifth 
who  were  transferred  to  the  i46th  New  York  Volunteers  did 
their  duty  and  upheld  the  good  name  of  the  old  5th  Regi- 
ment, the  following  letter  received  from  Brevet  Brigadier- 
General  Grindlay,  Colonel  of  the  1461!!  New  York  Volun- 
teers, will  sufficiently  answer  : 

BOONEVILLE,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  14,  1878. 
ALFRED  DAVENPORT,  ESQ.  : 

Dear  Sir  : — In  answer  to  your  inquiry,  I  \vould  say  that  at 
the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  some  237  enlisted  men  of  the  old 
5th  New  York  Volunteers  were  transferred  to  the  I46th  New 
York  Volunteers  to  serve  out  the  unexpired  term  of  their 
enlistment. 

I  considered  the  "  Duryee  Zouaves  "  the  best  drilled  and  disci- 
plined regiment  in  the  corps,  if  not  in  the  army.  They  reached 
that  great  state  of  proficiency  by  having,  as  you  well  know,  among 
their  corps  of  instructors,  such  soldiers  as  Major-General  G.  K. 
Warren,  afterward  our  beloved  corps  commander,  than  whom  no 
abler  or  better  man  served  in  the  Union  army.  The  men  transfer- 
red to  us  were  worthy  representatives  of  their  regiment,  and  while 
cherishing  a  strong  love  for  their  old  command,  they  became,  ere 


Parting  with  Old  Comrades.  389 

they  left,  as  strongly  attached  to  their  new  regiment.  We  shortly 
afterward  adopted  the  "  Zouave  Uniform  "  in  our  brigade,  and 
their  pride  in  the  "  Zouave  Brigade  "  equaled  that  for  their  first 
love.  Several  were  promoted  for  gallantry  in  battle  and  soldierly 
conduct.  Among  the  number  I  remember  Peter  Froeligh  to  be 
First  Lieutenant,  afterward  killed  at  the  Wilderness  ;  Hugh  Chal- 
mers to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  afterward  killed  at  Cold  Harbor, 
both  gallant  soldiers.  The  witty  and  adventurous  Lawrence  Fitz- 
patrick  to  Captain.  He  served  through  the  war,  was  captured  and 
escaped  several  times,  always  spoke  proudly  of  the  Old  Fifth,  and 
ever  did  his  duty.  Henry  G.  Taylor  and  John  McGeehan  to  be 
First  Lieutenants,  and  several  others  whom  I  do  not  now  recall. 
They  were  all  good  soldiers,  and  by  their  bearing  and  conduct  set 
an  example  to  their  new  comrades  worthy  of  all  emulation.  The 
members  of  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers  have  every  reason  to 
be  proud  of  their  gallant  regiment. 

I  am,  my  dear  sir, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

JAS.  G.  GRINDLAY, 
Brevet  Brig. -Gen.  and  Colonel  1462/1  N.  Y.  Vol.  Infantry. 

Now  came  a  sad  as  well  as  a  joyous  scene.  The  three 
years'  men  felt  that  they  were  parting  with  their  old  com- 
rades with  whom  they  had  lived  and  fought,  to  be  thrown 
into  companionship  with  comparative  strangers,  and  had  the 
ground  been  about  to  open  and  swallow  them,  they  could 
scarcely  have  felt  more  deeply.  The  two  years'  men,  on  the 
other  hand,  were  about  to  turn  their  faces  homeward,  many 
of  them  for  the  first  time  since  they  had  enlisted,  two  years 
before,  and  their  feelings  were  exuberant  and  beyond  ex- 
pression. They  were  elated  to  the  highest  degree,  but  nev- 
ertheless the  parting  was  a  sad  one  even  to  them.  The  tie 
becomes  very  strong  between  those  who  have  suffered  hard- 
ships and  dangers  in  common,  and  as  the  men  wrung  each 
other  by  the  hand,  many  a  tear  was  brushed  away ;  hastily 
written  notes  were  taken  in  charge,  and  hurried  messages 
were  delivered  to  carry  to  mothers,  fathers,  brothers,  and 


3QO         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

sisters  at  home,  and  to  the  loving  fair  one  waiting  the  return 
of  her  soldier  pride.  But  the  scene  was  soon  over,  and  com- 
rades grasped  each  other's  hands  for  the  last  time  ;  alas  !  in 
many  instances  forever. 

Among  the  men  who  remained,  there  were  many  who  sub- 
sequently fell  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  or  in  Grant's 
great  campaign  against  Richmond.  The  departing  company 
marched  toward  United  States  Ford,  and  after  crossing  the 
pontoon  bridge,  the  remainder  of  the  two  years'  men  who 
were  guarding  the  wagons  were  taken  up,  and  all  marched 
briskly  for  Stoneman's  Switch.  The  full  regiment  numbered 
about  two  hundred  men.  This  large  increase  in  numbers 
was  caused  by  a  number  of  convalescents  and  detailed  men, 
who  had  rejoined  the  command  during  the  previous  few 
months.  After  marching  nearly  all  night,  the  atmosphere 
being  intolerably  close,  the  men  were  halted  and  went  into 
bivouac ;  the  firing  on  Frederick sburg  Heights  was  plainly 
distinguishable,  and  the  men  were  harassed  with  doubts  as  to 
whether  they  would  not  be  again  ordered  to  the  front.  A 
little  before  daylight  the  regiment  was  suddenly  aroused  and 
fell  into  line,  a  report  being  brought  that  a  body  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry  were  in  the  vicinity.  We  again  marched,  and  halted 
near  a  clear  stream  of  water,  when  the  men  immediately  strip- 
ped and  gave  themselves  a  good  scouring,  and  put  on  clean 
under-clothing,  which  they  had  been  saving  for  their  home 
trip,  with  as  much  care  as  does  the  bride  her  wedding 
trousseau.  After  their  bath,  the  men  felt  much  refreshed. 

On  Tuesday,  the  5th,  we  entered  the  freight  cars  at 
Stoneman's  Switch,  and  soon  arrived  at  Aquia  Creek.  The 
2ist  New  York  Volunteers,  lying  there  guarding  the  army 
stores,  entertained  the  men  with  great  hospitality,  and  gave 
them  coffee,  fresh  bread,  and  bacon,  which  were  heartily  rel- 
ished. The  regiment  was  lying  on  the  side  of  a  steep  hill 
in  the  afternoon,  chatting  and  smoking  their  pipes,  when  a 
very  violent  thunder-storm,  which  had  been  threatening  for 


Washington — Baltimore — Philadelphia.        39 1 

some  time,  burst  upon  them,  accompanied  with  hail,  some 
of  which  was  of  the  size  of  a  walnut.  The  men  stood  it  for 
some  time,  some  of  them  jokingly  calling  it  Bull  Run  No. 
3,  when  they  were  ordered  to  take  refuge  in  some  barracks 
near  the  landing,  but  their  clothing  had  been  completely 
soaked  through.  In  the  barracks  they  were  much  crowded  for 
want  of  room,  but  did  well  enough  under  the  circumstances. 
The  rain  continued  all  night,  accompanied  with  a  cold  north- 
east wind. 

The  morning  of  Wednesday,  the  6th,  'broke  cold  and 
rainy.  We  embarked  on  board  the  transport  John  A. 
Warner,  and  sailed  for  Washington,  where  we  arrived  in  the 
afternoon,  and  were  marched  up  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  past 
the  Capitol,  through  a  heavy  rain,  and  halted  at  the  Soldiers' 
Retreat,  near  the  depot.  Supper  was  served,  and  the  men 
found  ways  and  means  to  fill  their  canteens  with  something 
stronger  than  coffee,  notwithstanding  the  guard  that  was 
placed  on  the  doorways.  Finally,  we  were  ordered  into 
some  iron  baggage  cars,  without  seats  of  any  kind,  penned 
up  in  them  like  any  other  live  stock,  but  all  was  joy  and 
hilarity  from  one  end  of  the  train  to  the  other.  The  men 
sung  and  shouted,  but  among  their  songs  it  was  noticed  that 
they  did  not  sing  anything  about  "hanging  Jeff  Davis  on  a 
sour  apple  tree."  That  was  omitted.  They  had  been  trying 
to  catch  him  for  two  years,  and  had  seen  a  number  of  sour 
apple  trees  suitable  for  the  purpose,  but  never  had  caught 
sight  of  "  Jeff."  The  regiment  arrived  in  Baltimore  about 
midnight,  and  while  marching  through  the  city  to  the  Phila- 
delphia depot,  awoke  the  good  citizens  with  their  songs.  A 
large  number  of  the  convalescent  wounded  belonging  to  the 
regiment  were  taken  from  the  hospitals ;  and  finally  all 
were  put  into  baggage  cars,  with  planks  for  seats,  and  the 
train  started  for  Philadelphia.  It  seemed  to  the  men  that 
never  did  a  train  move  so  slow.  Jack  Whigam,  who  could 
run  a  locomotive,  went  forward  to  take  charge  himself,  but 


392        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

of  course  the  engineers  had  their  time-tables,  and  would  not 
deviate  from  them.  We  arrived  in  Philadelphia  about  n 
A.M.  on  the  the  yth,  and  had  a  plain,  but  to  us  luxurious 
lunch  at  the  hospitable  retreat  conducted  by  the  patriotic 
ladies  of  that  city,  and  known  as  the  Cooper  Retreat.  After 
spending  an  hour  very  agreeably  among  the  visitors  who 
came  to  see  us,  and  becoming  more  impressed  with  the  at- 
mosphere of  home,  we  crossed  the  ferry  to  Camden  and 
took  the  cars  for  Jersey  City,  where  we  arrived  in  the  after- 
noon, and  were  dismissed  to  report  in  the  morning. 

Friday,  the  8th,  we  assembled  at  Jersey  City  and  crossed 
the  river,  landing  at  Cortland  Street,  and  made  a  grand 
parade  through  the  city.  The  regiment  was  the  first  to 
come  home  with  their  arms,  in  accordance  with  the  new 
order  of  the  War  Department. 

It  was  noticed  that  some  men  who  had  done  little  or  no 
fighting  or  service  in  the  regiment  were  very  anxious  to 
show  themselves  in  the  front  rank ;  but  perhaps  they  had 
lost  their  cunning,  and  were  not  aware  that  their  bright  uni- 
forms and  store-made  shoes  betrayed  them.  They  were  like 
the  "Jackass  in  the  Lion's  skin."  This  comparison,  of 
course,  is  not  intended  to  apply  to  any  member  of  the  regi- 
ment who  had.  been  compelled  to  be  absent  from  duty  on 
account  of  sickness  or  wounds. 

The  men  who  had  lived  through  the  hard  work  of  the 
camp  and  field,  who  had  pressed  to  the  front  in  the  hour  of 
danger,  cared  little  where  they  were  placed  in  the  proces- 
sion ;  they  were  worn  and  scarred  ;  they  carried  with  them 
the  consciousness  that  would  remain  with  them  as  they  jour- 
neyed through  life — that  they  had  earned  the  honorable  dis- 
charge to  which  they  had  looked  forward  as  their  star  of 
hope,  through  many  an  hour  of  hardship  or  of  the  severest 
duty  and  danger.  Among  the  number  forming  the  regiment 
that  marched  up  Broadway,  only  about  eighty  had  served 
the  whole  term  for  which  they  had  enlisted,  and  had  not 


Our  Reception.  393 

been  absent  at  any  time  by  furlough,  or  from  wounds  or 
sickness. 

The  following  report  of  the  reception,  published  by  the 
New  York  Daily  Times,  gives  a  faithful  narrative  of  this 
event,  not  less  interesting  to  the  men  who  had  done  the  hard 
work  of  the  camp  and  field  so  long,  than  to  those  who  so 
kindly  tendered  the  expression  of  their  regard  and  approba- 
tion : 

"THE  RETURN  OF  THE   GALLANT   FIFTH. 

"  Reception  of  the  Regiment —  Triumphal  March  up  Broadway 
— Banquet  at  the  City  Assembly  Rooms. 

"  The  gallant  Fifth  Regiment  met  yesterday  with  such  a 
reception  as  they  had  a  right  to  look  for.  The  regiment  has 
been  an  especial  favorite  here  ever  since  its  organization.  Its 
achievements  have  been  regarded  with  especial  interest  and 
pride  by  the  people  of  this  city  and  State,  and,  as  might  have 
been  expected,  its  return  was  signalized  by  a  demonstration,  the 
like  of  which  has  been  accorded  to  no  other  regiment 

"  The  streets  through  which  the  Fifth  had  to  pass  were  thronged 
by  enthusiastic  crowds  all  through  the  afternoon,  and  a  fleeting 
ray  of  the  spontaneous  excitement,  which  anything  connected 
with  the  war  was  wont  to  produce,  once  more  shone  forth  in 
more  than  pristine  brilliancy. 

"About  half-past  three  o'clock  the  Fifth  left. Jersey  City  on 
board  the  ferry-boat  New  Jersey,  landing  on  the  New  York  side 
within  five  minutes.  Marching  thence  into  Broadway,  they  were 
received  by  the  Tenth  Volunteers  (Bendix's  Zouaves),  who  had 
generously  turned  out  for  the  occasion,  and  by  the  Thirty- 
seventh  and  the  Seventy-first  Regiments  of  State  National  Guard, 
As  the  war-worn  and  battle-stained  heroes  filed  along  the  line 
they  were  vociferously  cheered.  Never  was  a  more  hearty  meed 
of  admiration  and  respect  paid  to  brave,  devoted  soldiers  since 
first  the  world  learned  to  worship  military  glory.  Presently  the 
line  of  procession  was  formed.  In  the  front  came  the  Tenth,  led 
by  their  intrepid  Colonel  (Acting  Brigadier-General  Bendix)  ; 
following  came  the  Thirty-seventh  and  the  Seventy-first,  and 
then  the  "  red-legged  devils,"  marching  in  close  Zouave  order, 
17* 


394        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

and  giving  those  who  saw  them  a  better  idea  of  the  effect  of 
two  years'  service  than  could  ever  be  learned  from  the  perusal  of 
the  most  glowing  newspaper  correspondence  that  ever  was  writ- 
ten. The  men  were  brown  and  rugged ;  their  colors  were 
weather-stained  and  bullet-torn  ;  their  uniforms  were  tattered 
and  stained  with  Virginia  mud  and  the  smoke  of  hard-fought 
conflicts.  They  looked  magnificent.  Officers  and  men  were  the 
speaking  types  of  rough,  hard  service.  They  bore  no  holiday 
aspect,  but  seemed  what  they  were — the  veterans  of  this  terrible 
war,  who  had  toiled  and  suffered  in  the  cause  of  their  beloved 
country.  They  had  won  the  reward  prepared  for  them. 

"  For  once  a  Republic  was  not  ungrateful.  To  descend  to 
details.  The  order  of  the  line  was  thus  arranged  : 

"The  loth  New  York  Volunteers,  Lieutenant-Colonel  W. 
Marshall,  250  men. 

"  The  37th  New  York  S.  M.,  Colonel  Roome,  300  men. 

"  The  ;ist  New  York  S.  M.,  Colonel  Trafford,  275  men. 

"  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  No.  9,  and  Hose  Company, 
No.  61. 

"  Interspersed  were  the  Seventh  Regiment  Band,  Helmsmuller's 
Band,  Dodwonh's  Band,  and  several  others  of  musical  popu- 
larity. Bringing  up  the  rear  were  the  ex-members  of  the  Fifth 
who  had  been  discharged,  wounded  and  diseased,  but  who  were 
now  recovered,  and,  in  carriages,  the  wounded  who  were  too 
much  hurt  to  walk.  It  was  a  prodigiously  effective  procession, 
and  drew  forth  acclamations  of  applause  as  genuine  as  ever 
greeted  those  who  deserve  well  of  their  compatriots  for  sacrifices 
made  in  a  common  cause  and  for  the  common  weal. 

"  The  procession  marched  in  review  through  the  Park  before 
the  Mayor  and  Common  Council,  and  then  up-town  to  Union 
Square  and  round  by  Fifth  Avenue,  down-town  again  to  the  City 
Assembly  Rooms.  There,  at  eight  o'clock,  the  men  and  officers 
of  the  Fifth,  the  officers  of  the  escort,  and  many  invited  guests 
sat  down  to  a  plentiful,  if  not  a  very  elaborate,  banquet. 

"  Toasts  were  given  and  speeches  made,  and  cheers  were 
plentiful  and  vociferous.  General  Duryee,  Hiram  Walbridge, 
and  Colonel  Winslow  were  the  principal  speakers.  The  occasion 
was  one  long  to  be  remembered  by  all  who  participated  in  the 
celebration." 


In  the  Battle  of  Life.  395 

But  there  is  a  time  to  rejoice,  and  a  time  to  mourn  ;  and 
it  is  the  lot  of  many  to  mourn  while  others  have  their  re- 
joicings. Among  the  thousands  who  greeted  the  Fifth  on 
their  march  up  Broadway,  what  a  multitude  must  there  have 
been  scattered  through  the  gay  and  thoughtless  throng,  who 
scanned  with  silent  grief  the  faces  in  the  ranks,  as  if  they 
expected  to  see  a  husband,  son,  or  brother — a  dear  friend 
or  relative,  who  they  already  knew  could  not  be  there  ;  and 
as  they  gazed  with  tearful  eyes,  endeavored  to  picture  the 
lost  one  as  he  appeared  when  he  so  proudly  waved  a  last 
farewell,  two  years  before,  when  he  marched  away  to  battle 
to  save  his  country.  All  honor  to  our  dead  !  Let  their 
names  be  engraved  on  the  tablet  of  our  memories,  and  may 
those  to  whom  they  were  near  by  the  ties  of  relationship, 
find  consolation  in  the  thought  that  their  sufferings  and 
death  were  a  part  of  that  inestimable  price  which  was  paid 
to  secure  the  national  life  for  the  present  and  for  the  future. 

On  Monday,  the  nth,  the  members  of  the  regiment  pa- 
raded in  uniform  and  with  arms,  to  receive  the  4th  Regiment, 
New  York  Volunteers,  Scott  Life  Guard,  and  were  glad  to 
welcome  their  comrades  home  again.  They  were  reviewed 
by  General  WINFIELD  SCOTT,  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel. 

Thursday,  May  14,  1863,  the  men  were  mustered  out 
by  companies  and  paid  off,  all  who  were  entitled  receiving 
an  honorable  discharge,  which  they  had  endured  so  much  to 
obtain.  Many  of  the  officers  and  men  again  re-enlisted  in 
the  Fifth  Veterans,  under  their  last  Colonel,  Winslow,  and 
in  other  organizations,  and  rose  to  various  grades  as  officers. 
Many  of  them  were  either  killed  or  wounded  in  their  sub- 
sequent service.  Others  went  into  the  regular  army  as 
officers  or  privates,  where  those  who  survive  still  remain. 
The  rest  returned  to  their  various  callings  in  civil  life,  some 
to  the  profession  of  the  law ;  some  are  in  the  ministry,  others 
are  engaged  in  mercantile  and  industrial  pursuits,  or  hold 
positions  of.  honor  and  trust,  while  some  others  are  afloat 


396        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

under  the  flag  on  the  trackless  sea.  Several  members  of  the 
regiment  have  represented  their  constituents  in  the  State 
Legislature.  One  is  United  States  Consul  to  La  Rochelle, 
France,  another  the  second  in  command  of  the  Franklin 
Search  Expedition.  Some  have  made  fortunes,  others  have 
risen  to  distinction  in  their  professions,  and  there  are  many 
others  who  still  suffer  from  their  wounds,  or  move  about 
under  the  disadvantage  that  a  loss  of  limb  occasions.  Some 
are  shattered  by  diseases  engendered  in  the  swamps  of  the 
Chickahominy.  Some  are  "  floating  on  a  waveless  tide." 
But  among  them  all,  be  they  rich  or  poor,  be  they  humble 
or  mighty,  there  are  none  but  are  proud  to  say  that  they 
served  in  the  5th  New  York  Zouaves. 

(  Whatever  may  be  the  fortune  of  each  in  the  vicissitudes 
of  their  life-battle,  may  the  final  struggle  with  "the  last 
enemy"  bring  to  them  the  crown  of  the  conqueror  in  the 
blissful  fields  of  immortality. 


APPENDIX. 


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404        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 


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CHERER,  LOUIS  
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416        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 


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STATISTICS. 

IN  round  numbers,  the  total  number  of  officers  and  men  in  the 
regiment  who  were  sworn  into  the  United  States  service,  was : 

For  two  years,  about 900 

"    three      "         "     600 

1,500 

Of  the  above  there  were — 

Killed  in  action,  died  of  wounds  or  disease 202 

Missing  in  action 7 

Discharged  on  account  of  wounds,  disease  en- 
gendered in  the  service,  commissioned  in  other 
regiments,  dishonorably  discharged,  deserted  or 
unaccounted  for  and  dropped  from  the  rolls, 
under  Gen.  Order,  No.  92 •. 754 

Loss  in  two  years'  service 963 

Three  years'  men  transferred  to  I46th  New  York, 
May  4th,  1863,  to  serve  the  balance  of  their  un- 

expired  term 237 

Two  years'  men  mustered  out  May  14,  1863,  273 

"  officers 27 

300 

1,500 

Of  the  two  years'  men  who  came  home  with  the  regiment, 
about  ico  bore  the  scars  of  wounds,  and  had  been  in  hospital  on 
account  thereof,  for  periods  of  from  four  to  ten  months.  There 
were  only  about  80  men  out  of  the  900  who  were  in  every  engage- 
ment, and  had  not  been  absent  from  the  regiment  on  account  of 
sickness  or  wounds  during  the  two  years'  service.  All  of  these, 
with  very  few  exceptions,  had  received  from  one  to  seven  balls 
through  their  clothing,  or  had  received  shaves,  not,  however,  seri- 
ous enough  to  be  classed  as  wounds. 
(418) 


Statistics.  419 

A  number  of  the  two  years'  men  re-enlisted,  or  served  as 
officers  in  the  5th  Veterans,  or  in  other  organizations,  many 
of  whom  were  killed,  died,  or  were  disabled  from  wounds  or 
sickness. 

There  were  three  regiments  organized  by  the  officers  of  the  old 
Fifth,  besides  the  parent  organization,  viz. :  The  5th  Veterans ; 
the  i6$th  New  York;  and  the  2d  New  York,  Harris'  Light  Cav- 
alry. Of  the  237  men  transferred  to  the  I46th  New  York,  a  large 
proportion  of  them  were  killed  or  wounded  in  their  after  service, 
in  various  campaigns  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac— Gettysburg, 
the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  or  front  of  Petersburg. 

On  the  6th  day  of  July,  1861,  twenty-six  men  enlisted  in  the 
Fifth  for  three  years.  When  the  regiment  left  the  front,  those  who 
remained  of  these  men,  were  transferred,  with  others,  to  the  I46th 
Regiment;  to  serve  out  the  remainder  of  their  time.  On  the  6th 
day  of  July,  1864,  only  one  of  the  26  remained  in  the  service  to 
be  mustered  out.  His  name  was  James  W.  Webb,  formerly  of 
Company  F,  5th  New  York.  His  companion  who  remained  of 
the  twenty-six,  Christian  Neuber,  was  wounded  the  day  before, 
in  front  of  Petersb  urg. 

The  average  age  of  the  men  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  was  not  quite 
twenty-three  years  ;  of  the  officers,  about  twenty-seven. 


420        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 


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Casualties. 


421 


Killed,  Wounded,  and  Died. 

illed  in  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  5,  1864. 

ed  from  wounds  received  in  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  5,  1864. 
ed  in  U.  S.  General  Hospital,  Alexandria,  Va. 
ed  of  wounds  June  17,  1864,  receiv'd  in  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  5,  1864. 
received  in  action  May  25,  1864. 
lied  in  action  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  June  18,  1864. 
lied  at  Hatchers'  Run,  Va.,  February  6,  1865. 
ed  of  disease  Sept.,  1864,  in  Andersonville,  Ga.,  while  prisoner  of  war 
Oct.  24,  " 

Aug.  1°."  ;;  ;; 

ed  of  fever  at  Fort  Warren,  Boston  Harbor, 
in  Hospital  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
City  Point,  Va.,  September  i,  1864. 
December  9,  1863,  in  Camp  near  Bealton  Station,  Va. 
N°TT^b.er  23'  l86*'  at  Galesburgh,  N.  C.,  while  prisoner  of  war. 
at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  February  25.  1865. 
lied  by  the  explosion  of  a  cannon  at  West  Point,  N.  Y.,  July  4,  

killed,  wounded,  or  died  in  the  service  during  the  war  was  over  700,  or 

vhom,  one  served  as  an  officer  in  the  English  army,  another  in  Turkey, 
e  late  .var  with  Germany.  In  the  city  our  number  is  small,  and,  though 
e  failed  for  want  of  numbers.  Though  we  still  have  Generals  Durye"e, 
lost  since  the  war  many  brave  hearts,  who  have  gone  to  join  their  com- 

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>ers  of  the  Fifth  Regimen 
3tal  number, 
and  served  in  foreign  a 
killed  under  the  French  fl 
le  to  perfect  an  organizat 
and  Colonel  Hiram  Durye 

Name. 

i  !  !  i  :  i  i  :  f  !  i  !  !  :  :  :  :8  :  :  :  :  : 

The  number  of  meml 
about  50  per  cent,  of  their  t 
u  Several  went  abroad 
two  in  Mexico,  and  one  was 
many  efforts  have  been  mac 
Warren.  Davies,  Kilpatrick. 
rades  who  died  in  uniform." 

PERSONAL   SKETCHES. 


COLONEL  ABRAM   DURYfcE. 

COLONEL  ABRAM  DURYEE,  late  commander  of  the  Seventh 
Regiment,  National  Guard,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  in 
1815.  He  descended  from  a  French  Huguenot  family,  who  came 
to  America  on  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  by  Louis 
XIV.  of  France,  in  1685. 

He  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  New  York,  in  which 
pursuit  he  met  with  honorable  success  and  realized  a  fortune. 

He  commenced  his  military  career,  at  the  early  age  of  eighteen 
years,  as  a  private  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-second  Militia, 
and  subsequently  served  in  the  ranks  of  one  of  the  companies  of  the 
National  Guard — then  Twenty-seventh  Regiment — September, 
1838;  and  after  passing  through  all  the  different  grades  of  the 
non-commissioned  officers  with  distinction,  he  obtained  a  Second 
Lieutenant's  commission  on  the  2ist  of  February,  1840,  and  was 
promoted  on  the  4th  of  October,  1841,  to  the  First  Lieutenancy, 
and  on  January  16,  1844,  he  was  elected  to  the  post  of  Captain. 
On  the  22d  of  September,  1845,  ne  was  elected  a  field  officer, 
with  the  rank  of  Major.  On  November  24th  of  the  same  year  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  on  January 
29,  1849,  he  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  regiment,  with  the 
rank  of  Colonel. 

Like  many  eminent  men,  he  has  achieved  distinction  by  his 
skill,  perseverance,  untiring  energy,  and  strict  attention  to  his 
duties,  until  he  ascended  from  the  lowest  to  a  high  rank  as  a 
military  commander,  and  the  acknowledged  chief  of  the  first 
volunteer  regiment  in  the  country. 

The  present  enviable  reputation  of  the  National  Guard  is 
owing,  in  a  great  degree,  to  his  ability  and  exertion  as  an  officer. 

(423) 


424        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

He  determined  to  place  the  regiment  in  the  front  rank  from  the 
moment  he  was  placed  in  command.  While  stern  and  exacting 
as  a  disciplinarian,  he  was  affable,  modest,  and  kind-hearted  in 
his  social  intercourse.  At  the  head  of  his  regiment,  he  was  always 
the  soldier,  but  never  forgetting  the  relative  position  and  standing 
of  the  men  under  his  command.  The  possession  of  these  traits 
of  character  secured  the  attachment  of  the  members  of  his  regi- 
ment. The  proof  of  his  decision  of  character,  and  to  what  extent 
he  possessed  the  affection  of  the  men,  was  illustrated  in  that 
unfortunate  and  ever-to-be-remembered  bloody  riot  at  the  Astor 
Place  Opera  House,  on  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Macready's  appear- 
ance. When  the  turmoil  was  at  its  height,  missiles  were  thrown 
at  his  command,  and  his  men  fell  wounded  in  all  directions 
around  him.  A  shout  was  raised  by  the  law-and-order  party  for 
them  to  fire,  as  it  would  be  impossible  for  the  military  to  retain 
their  position  longer  unless  something  of  a  determined  and  defen- 
sive character  was  done.  But  the  authorities  held  back,  in  the 
hope  of  being  able  to  restore  peace  and  quiet  without  bloodshed. 
The  Colonel,  knowing  that  he  had  no  authority  to  act  in  the 
premises  without  orders  from  his  superiors  in  command  (Generals 
Sandford  and  Hall),  was  observed  walking  up  and  down  in  front 
of  his  regiment,  encouraging  his  men  ;  and  while  doing  so,  he 
was  struck  twice  in  quick  succession,  by  stones  thrown  from  the 
crowd.  His  men,  observing  the  imminent  danger  he  was  in, 
shouted  to  him  to  fall  in  the  rear  of  his  regiment ;  but,  instead 
of  this,  he  renewed  his  efforts  of  encouraging  his  command  to  be 
patient,  until  he  was  compelled  to  fall  in  the  rear  by  the  order 
given  by  the  sheriff  to  fire.  This  forbearance  on  the  part  of 
himself  and  his  men  was  very  praiseworthy,  and  will  never  be 
forgotten  by  those  who  witnessed  the  exciting  scene  on  that 
remarkable  night.  He  had  been  on  duty  in  all  the  riots  for  the 
twenty  years  last  preceding  the  great  civil  war,  and  was  particu- 
larly instrumental  in  subduing  the  police  and  "  Dead  Rabbit " 
riots  of  July,  1857.  He  also  commanded  his  regiment  on  two 
expeditions  to  Boston,  and  drilled  on  the  Common  of  that  city 
with  great  success,  in  presence  of  a  large  number  of  distinguished 
persons,  and  thousands  of  its  inhabitants.  He  was  also  the  com- 
manding officer  at  Camp  Trumbull,  New  Haven  ;  Camp  Worth, 


Personal  Sketches.  425 

Kingston,  besides  quartering  his  regiment  one  week  at  Newport, 
R.  I.,  to  which  is  to  be  added  the  escort  expedition  to  Richmond, 
Washington,  Mount  Vernon,  and  Baltimore. 

The  Seventh  Regiment  bears  the  nam2,  and  deservedly  too, 
of  being  a  pattern  to  its  associates  in  arms  ;  and  they  have  exem- 
plified the  truth,  that  the  best  citizens  are  the  best  soldiers,  and 
that  it  is  no  mark  of  courage,  or  indication  of  prowess,  to  cast 
aside  the  courtesies  or  amenities  of  life. 

To  Colonel  Duryee  we  may  not  invidiously  ascribe  the  main- 
tenance of  that  high  discipline  and  gallant  bearing  which  so  dis- 
tinguishes the  Seventh  Regiment  above  its  compeers ;  and  this 
may  be  said  without  detracting,  in  the  slightest  degree,  from  the 
merits  of  any  officer  and  soldier  of  his  command.  The  superior 
in  all  cases  gives  the  general  tone  to  his  subordinates. 

He  is  the  author  of  Rules  and  Regulations  for  the  government 
of  the  regiment  in  the  field  or  in  quarters  ;  also,  several  treatises 
on  street-fighting.  The  latter  was  adopted  by  the  New  York 
State  Legislature  in  the  fall  of  1857,  after  a  committee  of  army 
and  militia  officers  witnessed  the  admirable  performance  of  the 
Seventh  Regiment  on  the  Fifth  Avenue,  in  the  summer  of  that 
year. 

Colonel  Duryee  adopted  Colonel  Hardee's  beautiful  light  infantry 
tactics  in  the  year  1855,  and  his  was  the  first  military  body 
that  went  through  any  of  the  exercises  contained  in  that  work ; 
but  the  laws  for  the  government  of  the  army  and  militia  of  the 
United  States  then  in  force,  prevented  his  adopting  it  until  it 
was  recognized  and  approved  by  the  War  Department. 

In  the  autumn  of  1857  he  adopted  the  system  in  full,  and,  after 
a  thorough  course  of  drill  throughout  the  winter,  he  invited  the 
author  to  witness  its  performance  by  the  7th  Regiment  at  a 
battalion  drill  at  the  City  Arsenal,  Friday  evening,  March  19, 
1858.  The  room  was  crowded  with  a  large  number  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  among  whom  were  seen  the  beautiful  uniforms 
of  our  army  and  navy  officers,  and  the  familiar  faces  of  some  of 
our  most  distinguished  citizens.  After  the  marching  was  over, 
the  Colonel  ordered  his  regiment  to  prepare  for  review.  Colonel 
Hardee,  accompanied  by  other  officers  and  staff  of  the  regiment, 
made  a  thorough  inspection,  after  which  Colonel  Hardee  took  up 


426        Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

his  position  at  the  side  of  Colonel  Duryee,  and  the  latter  went 
through  the  manual. 

.  The  precision  with  which  the  regiment  made  the  different 
movements  of  loading  and  firing,  and  the  steadiness  of  the  men, 
drew  forth  tremendous  applause  from  the  spectators  present. 
Colonel  Hardee  was  much  surprised,  and  expressed  astonishment 
at  the  result.  He  said  that  never  had  he  witnessed  a  performance 
by  any  military  body,  in  or  out  of  the  army,  which  surpassed  it. 
At  the  conclusion,  the  regiment  was  greeted  with  a  storm  oi 
plaudits. 

After  being  connected  with  the  Seventh  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
one  years,  Colonel  Duryee  resigned  his  command,  in-  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  1859;  being  succeeded  by  the  late  lamented 
Colonel  Marshall  Lefferts. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war,  Colonel  Duryee  immedi- 
ately responded  to  the  call  for  troops  by  Governor  Morgan,  and 
tendered  his  services  to  the  country.  His  offer  was  gladly  ac- 
cepted, and  he  was  granted  authority  to  raise  a  regiment  ot 
infantry,  and  received  a  commission  as  Colonel  of  Volunteers. 

As  the  result  of  his  efforts,  the  5th  Regiment  New  York  Vol- 
unteers, otherwise  known  as  Duryee's  Zouaves,  was  organized. 
This  regiment  he  brought  up  to*  a  thorough  state  of  discipline, 
and  in  drill  it  was  excelled  by  none.  It  was  destined  to  continue 
the  hard  drills  after  the  command  devolved  on  Colonel  Warren 
and  other  officers,  and,  as  it  became  older  in  the  service,  arrived 
at  a  still  greater  state  of  proficiency,  especially  in  field  tactics 
and  bayonet  exercise  ;  so  that  when  it  became  a  part  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  it  was  generally  acknowledged  to  be  the  most 
perfect  volunteer  regiment  in  general  drill  in  the  5th  corps,  and 
probably  in  the  whole  army;  but  in  bayonet  exercise  it  was 
without  a  rival. 

On  May  27,  1861,  Colonel  Duryee  was  placed  by  General 
Butler  in  command  of  Camp  Hamilton,  as  acting  Brigadier- 
General— his  brigade  consisting  of  the  ist,  2d,  3d,  5th,  and  loth 
Regiments  New  York  Volunteers.  General  Pierce,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, having  arrived  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Colonel  Duryee  was 
superseded  by  that  officer,  June  4th,  when  he  again  assumed 
command  of  his  regiment. 


Personal  Sketches.  427 

On  the  loth  of  June  he  took  part  with  his  regiment  in  the  at- 
tack on  Big  Bethel,  where  he  exposed  himself,  without  flinching, 
to  the  enemy's  fire. 

General  Pierce  having  been  relieved,  Colonel  Duryee  again 
assumed  command  of  the  brigade,  with  the  addition  of  Colonel 
Baker's  California  regiment  and  the  2oth  New  York.  On  the 
3ist  of  August,  Colonel  Dury6e  was  commissioned  a  Brigadier- 
General  of  Volunteers  by  the  President,  and  ordered  to  report  to 
General  Dix  ;  and  he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  I7th 
and  2ist  Massachusetts,  7th  and  loth  Maine,  2ist  Indiana,  8yth 
and  mth  Pennsylvania,  2d,  3d,  and  5th  Maryland,  and  the  5th 
New  York — the  latter  being  assigned  to  the  right  of  the  brigade. 

When  General  McClellan  made  his  advance  on  Richmond  via 
the  Peninsula,  General  Duryee,  with  part  of  the  troops  under  his 
command  in  Baltimore,  was  ordered  to  Washington,  where  he 
arrived  and  reported  to  General  McDowell,  and  his  command 
was  assigned  to  General  Ricketts'  division  of  the  1st  corps. 

General  Duryee  served  under  General  Pope  in  his  campaign 
of  1862,  and  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Cedar  Mountain, 
Rappahannock  Station,  Thoroughfare  Gap,  Groveton,  Second 
Bull  Run,  and  Chantilly. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  the  official  report  of  General 
Pope's  Virginia  campaign. 

General  Pope  says  :  "  General  Duryee  commanded  his  brigade, 
in  the  various  operations  of  this  campaign,  with  ability  and  zeal." 

General  McDowell,  in  his  report,  says  :  "  General  Ricketts, 
who,  at  Cedar  Mountain  and  at  Rappahannock  Station,  was 
under  my  immediate  command,  and  rendered  valuable  service 
with  the  division,  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  gallantry  of  Gen- 
erals Duryee  and  Tower,  both  at  Thoroughfare  Gap  and  the  bat- 
tle of  the  3oth,  in  which  the  former  was  slightly  and  the  latter, 
severely  wounded." — Exec.  Doc.  No.  81,  -$d  Sess.  -yjth  Congress. 

In  General  Ricketts'  report  of  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
we  find  the  following : 

"  At  sunrise  on  the  3oth,  ordered  by  you  to  send  two  brigades 
to  report  to  General  Kearney,  and  conducted  the  ist  brigade, 
General  Duryee ;  4th  brigade,  Colonel  Thorburn  ;  which  reliev- 
ed a  portion  of  General  Kearney's  division.  General  Duryee's 


428         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

brigade  advanced  into  the  woods,  driving  the  enemy  along  the  old 
railroad  excavation  until  directly  under  their  guns.  While  occupy- 
ing this  ground  General  Duryee  was  subjected  to  a  heavy  fire  of 
artillery  and  infantry,  in  which  he  received  a  slight  wound  and  a 
severe  contusion  by  a  shell,  but  remained  at  his  post  animating 
his  men,  who  behaved  admirably.  On  recapitulating  the  services 
of  brigade  commanders,  I  would  make  particular  mention  of 
Brigadier-General  Duryee  for  his  noble  conduct  at  Thoroughfare 
Gap,  and  his  indomitable  courage  displayed  at  Bull  Run  while 
holding  a  trying  position." — (Gen.  RlCKETTS'  Report,  p.  70). 

"  General  McClellan  again  assuming  command  of  the  army, 
General  Duryee  served  under  him  in  the  campaign  in  Maryland. 
He  reinforced  General  Meade  and  fought  under  that  officer  at 
South  Mountain,  driving  the  enemy  to  the  sanguinary  field  on 
Antietam,  where  he  fought  in  the  famous  corn-field,  where  he 
was  wounded  and  his  horse  shot  under  him  ;  a  portion  of  the 
time  he  commanded  the  division,  owing  to  the  wounding  of  Gen- 
eral Hooker,  who  was  compelled  to  retire  from  the  field." — 

(SWINTON). 

General  Meade's  report  of  the  battle  of  South  Mountain  speaks 
highly  of  the  promptness  of  General  Dury6e  in  ascending  the 
mountain  in  support  of  the  Penn  Reserves,  which  resulted  in  the 
defeat  of  the  enemy. 

General  Ricketts  says  in  his  report  of  the  battle  of  Antietam  : 

"  I  commend  the  general  good  conduct  of  the  division,  and 
would  mention  particularly  Brigadier-General  Duryee,  Colonels 
Coulter  and  Lyle,  and  Captains  Matthews  and  Thompson  of  the 
artillery ;  indeed,  both  officers  and  men  displayed  courage  under  a 
severe  fire." 

General  Duryee  resigned  his  commission  in  the  early  part  of 
1863,  and  again  retired  to  private  life.  He  was  breveted  Major- 
General  of  Volunteers  by  the  President,  March  13,  1865.  Gov- 
ernor Fenton,  in  forwarding  the  commission,  says  :  "  Conferred 
by  the  President,  in  recognition  of  your  faithful  and  distinguished 
services  in  the  late  war."  And  added  :  "  In  behalf  of  the  State, 
allow  me  to  thank  you  for  the  gallantry  and  devotion  which 
induced  this  conspicuous  mention  by  the  General  Government." 

From  the  New  York  Times,  1866 : 


Personal  Sketches.  429 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  field  officers  of  the  seven  regiments  com- 
posing the  4th  brigade,  1st  division,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  held  pursuant 
to  orders  from  General  Headquarters,  State  of  New  York,  at  the 
armory  of  the  22d  Regiment,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  General  Abram 
Duryee  was  unanimously  elected  Brigadier-General  of  the  brigade, 
vice  General  John  Ewen,  resigned. 

"  The  General's  many  years  experience  as  Colonel  of  the  yth 
Regiment,  National  Guard,  afterward  Colonel  of  the  famous  5th 
Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers  (Duryee's  Zouaves),  which  has 
given  a  Warren,  Kilpatrick,  and  Winslow  to  the  army,  and  final- 
ly as  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers,  eminently  qualify  him  for 
the  command." 

In  1873  General  Duryee  was  appointed  Police  Commissioner 
by  the  Hon.  W.  F.  Havemeyer,  and  during  his  term  of  service 
devoted  himself  to  the  discipline  and  efficiency  of  the  department. 
On  the  1 3th  of  January,  1874,  the  formidable  assemblage  of  Com- 
munists at  Tompkins  Square  took  place.  General  Duryee,  with 
a  small  body  of  police,  attacked  the  vast  crowd  with  impetuosity, 
capturing  their  blood-red  flags,  destroying  their  inflammatory 
banners,  and  drove  them  in  utter  confusion  from  the  park. 


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL   GOUVEENEUR   KEMBLE 
WARREN. 

GOUVERNEUR  K.  WARREN  was  born  in  CoM  Spring,  State 
of  New  York,  January  8,  1830.  He  graduated  second  in  a  class 
of  forty-five  at  the  early  age  of  twenty,  from  the  United  States 
Military  Academy  at  West  Point.  Breveted  Second  Lieutenant 
in  the  Engineer  Corps,  he  was  employed  in  the  survey  of  the 
Mississippi  Delta,  under  the  present  General  Humphreys.  He 
remained  here  for  three  years,  and  then  took  the  place  of  Robert 
E.  Lee,  subsequently  the  military  chief  of  the  Rebellion,  who  had 
charge  of  the  rapids  of  the  Mississippi  at  Rock  Island  and  Des 
Moines  ;  and  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  whose  fame  is  linked  with  the 
history  of  the  attempt  to  destroy  the  Union,  succeeded  him.  In 
1854  he  was  employed  under  Jefferson  Davis  in  the  Mississippi 
railroad  office.  "  In  1855  he  served  under  Harney  in  an  expedition 


43O        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

against  the  Sioux  Indians,  and  had  two  engagements  with  them, 
in  which  many  were  killed.  In  1856  and  '57  he  explored  Ne- 
braska Territory.  The  Smithsonian  Institute  published  his  re- 
port of  Geological  Explorations." 

"  Afterward  he  was  transferred  to  West  Point,  and  in  1859  and 
'60  he  was  Assistant  Professor  of  Mathematics.  In  1854  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  full  Second  Lieutenant,  and  First 
Lieutenant  in  July,  1856." 

When  the  war  broke  out,  he  asked  leave  of  absence  to  serve 
in  the  Volunteer  Army,  and  in  April,  1861,  was  appointed  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of  the  5th  New  York  Regiment.  He  was  pro- 
moted Colonel,  September  n,  1861,  and  to  the  grade  of  Cap- 
tain in  the  regular  army.  On  September  27,  1862,  he  was 
commissioned  Brigadier-General,  and  breveted  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel of  the  regular  army. 

When  Hooker  took  command  of  the  army,  February,  1863, 
General  Warren  was  made  Chief  Topographical  Engineer,  and 
rendered  efficient  service  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and 
was  appointed  Topographical  Engineer-in-Chief.  During  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  while  under  a  heavy  fire,  a  bullet  cut  his 
chin  underneath,  inflicting  a  slight  wound.  In  speaking  of  that 
battle,  Swinton*  says  :  "  Sickles'  line  of  battle  was  drawn  up  on 
the  low  ground  front  of  Round  Top,  his  left  covering  that  point. 
Little  Round  Top  was  a  commanding  spur  of  Round  Top  Moun- 
tain, a  rugged  and  wild  spot,  covered  with  huge  boulders. 
Warren,  while  moving  about  in  the  performance  of  his  duties  as 
Engineer,  on  the  morning  of  the  second  day  visited  this  spur,  on 
which  some  of  the  signal  corps  were  stationed,  and  found  that 
they  were  gathering  their  flags  together  preparatory  to  vacate. 
He  discovered  a  body  of  the  enemy,  who  were  Hood's  Texans, 
that  had  got  around  Sickles'  left  flank,  and  were  advancing  to 
occupy  this  important  point.  He  immediately  saw  the  strategic 
position  with  the  eye  of  an  engineer,  and  ordering  the  men  to 
continue  waving  their  flags  boldly,  to  deceive  the  enemy  into 
the  belief  that  it  was  occupied  by  a  force  of  troops,  dashed  off 
to  bring  troops  to  occupy  it.  He  met  Barnes'  division  of  Sykes' 


*  "  Army  of  Potomac,"  p.  346. 


Personal  Sketches.  431 

corps,  which  was  marching  to  the  relief  of  Sickles,  who  was 
hard  pressed,  and  on  his  own  responsibility  detached  Colonel 
Vincent's  brigade,  composed  of  the  i6th  Michigan,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Welsh  ;  44th  New  York,  Colonel  Rice  ;  83d  Pennsyl- 
vania, Captain  Woodward ;  2oth  Maine,  Colonel  Chamberlain, 
and  Hazlitt's  battery;  the  I4oth  New  York,  Colonel  O'Rourke, 
accompanied  the  latter,  which  by  great  labor  was  dragged  and 
lifted  up  the  hill.  As  the  troops  rushed  up  the  height,  Hood's 
Texans  were  coming  up  on  the  opposite  side  without  skirmish- 
ers ;  they  met  face  to  face,  and  a  terrible  conflict  ensued  ;  they 
fought  hand  to  hand  with  the  bayonet,  officers  grasped  rifles 
from  the  hands  of  the  fallen,  and  after  half  an  hour's  desperate 
struggle,  the  Union  forces  secured  the  position,  until  reinforced 
by  Weed's  brigade  of  Ayres'  division.  Later  at  night,  three  regi- 
ments occupied  Round  Top  proper.  The  loss  was  a  fearful  one  ; 
among  the  ledges  of  the  rocks  lay  many  hundred  of  the  Union 
soldiers.  General  Weed,  a  regular  officer,  was  killed,  and  Hazlitt 
fell  dead  over  his  body,  while  trying  to  catch  his  last  words  ; 
Colonels  Vincent  and  O'Rourke,  the  latter  a  regular  officer, 
were  killed.  This  was  the  key  of  the  position,  as  it  enfiladed 
Cemetery  Hill,  and  if  Warren  had  not  acted  as  promptly  as  he  did, 
Gettysburg  might  have  been  one  of  those  fields  that  decide  the 
issues  of  war." 

Warren  was  made  Major-General  of  Volunteers  August  8, 
1863,  and  received  the  brevet  of  Colonel  in  the  Regular  Army  to 
date  from  Gettysburg,  and  given  the  command  of  the  Second 
corps. 

"  When  in  the  following  October,  Meade  lay  along  the  Rapi- 
dan,  Warren  was  accustomed  to  put  on  a  private's  uniform,  and 
reconnoiter  the  enemy's  position.  In  this  garb  he  could  ap- 
proach very  near  the  enemy's  lines,  and  gained  much  valuable 
information. 

"  When  Lee  suddenly  outflanked  Meade,  compelling  him  to 
retreat  in  great  haste,  Warren  commanded  the  rear  guard. 
Near  Bristoe  Station  the  enemy  made  a  sudden  and  heavy  onset 
upon  him,  and  at  first,  having  all  their  batteries  planted,  pos- 
sessed greatly  the  advantage.  But  Warren,  who  now  for  the  first 
time  had  an  opportunity  to  display  his  great  abilities  as  a  strate- 


43 2         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

gist,  soon  reversed  this  state  of  things  ;  and  the  manner  in  which 
he  chose  his  position,  handled  his  troops,  and  planted  his  bat- 
teries, and  for  five  hours  repelled  every  effort  of  the  enemy  to 
advance,  and  finally  drove  him  to  cover,  showed  him  to  be  per- 
fect master  cf  the  art  of  war,  and  called  forth  a  congratulatory 
order  from  General  Meade.  He  captured  in  this  engagement 
five  guns,  two  colors,  and  four  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners.  The 
precision,  promptitude,  and  sagacity  he  exhibited  on  this  his  first 
field,  on  which  he  commanded  separately,  made  him  at  once  a 
conspicuous  man  in  the  army.  Dash  and  daring  do  not  go  so 
far  with  military  men  as  with  the  public,  and  a  battle  so  com- 
pletely planned  and  perfectly  fought  as  this,  could  not  escape  the 
observation  of  such  men  as  Meade  and  Grant."* 

Swinton.t  in  his  sketch  of  the  Mine  Run  move,  says  that 
Warren,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Second  corps,  and  two 
divisions  of  French's,  was  to  attack  the  enemy  on  their  right. 

"  Looking  at  the  position  with  the  critical  eye  of  an  engineer, 
but  not  without  those  lofty  inspirations  of  courage  that  overleap 
the  cold  dictates  of  mathematical  calculation,  Warren  saw  that 
the  task  was  hopeless  ;  and  so  seeing,  he  resolved  to  sacrifice  him- 
self rather  than  his  command.  He  assumed  the  responsibility  of 
suspending  the  attack. 

"His  verdict  was  that  of  his  soldiers — a  verdict  pronounced  not 
in  spoken  words,  but  in  a  circumstance  more  potent  than  words, 
and  full  of  a  touching  pathos. 

"  The  time  has  not  been  seen  when  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
shrank  from  any  call  of  duty.  Recognizing  that  the  task  now 
before  them  was  of  the  character  of  a  forlorn  hope  ;  knowing  well 
that  no  man  could  here  count  on  escaping  death,  the  soldiers, 
without  sign  of  shrinking  from  the  sacrifice,  were  seen  pinning  on 
the  breasts  of  their  blouses  of  blue,  slips  of  paper  on  which  each 
had  written  his  name" 

"  That  this  judgment  of  General  Warren,  and  of  his  troops, 
was  correct,  General  Meade  himself  became  convinced,  on  riding 
over  to  the  left  and  viewing  the  position."  *'  It  was,  in  fact,  even 

*  "  Grant  and  Sherman,  their  Campaigns  and  Generals." — J.  T.  HEADLEY. 
t  "Army  of  Potomac,"  pp.  396-' 7. 


Personal  Sketches.  433 

more  formidable  than  the  line  of  the  Rapidan,  which  it  had  been 
considered  impracticable  to  assail  by  a  front  attack." 

When  the  army  began  its  great  campaign  against  Richmond 
the  next  spring,  Warren,  at  the  head  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  held  the 
center,  one  of  the  three  grand  divisions  of  the  army  as  reorgan- 
ized under  Grant. 

S  win  ton  says :  "  Warren,  young  in  the  command  of  a  corps, 
owed  his  promotion  to  the  signal  ability,  proofs  of  which  he  had 
given,  first,  as  a  Brigadier,  then  as  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Army, 
and,  latterly,  as  the  temporary  commander  of  the  Second  Corps. 
Of  a  subtle,  analytic  intellect,  endowed  with  an  eminent  talent  for 
details,  the  clearest  military  coup  d'oeil,  and  a  fiery,  concentrated 
energy,  he  promised  to  take  the  first  rank  as  a  commander." 

"  In  the  terrible  battle  of  the  Wilderness,*  his  command  acted 
a  conspicuous  part.  The  second  day,  in  reinforcing  the  hard 
pressed  wings,  he  reduced  his  corps  to  two  divisions,  yet  with 
these  he  firmly  maintained  his  position.  At  Spottsylvania,  Rob- 
inson's division  of  the  Fifth  Corps  was  terribly  cut  up,  and  their 
leader  having  fallen,  were  breaking  in  disorder ;  when  this  intel- 
ligence reached  Warren,  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  dashing 
forward,  seized  the  colors  and  planted  them  amid  the  rebel  fire, 
and  by  his  voice  and  gallant  bearing,  rallied  the  division,  but  in 
the  daring  act  had  his  horse  shot  under  him.  In  the  flank  move- 
ment at  the  North  Anna,  and  in  the  severe  fight  that  followed, 
he  handled  his  troops  with  such  skill  and  success,  and  punished 
the  enemy  so  severely,  that  Meade  complimented  him  publicly. 
All  through  that  terrible  advance,  until  the  army  sat  down  before 
Petersburg,  he  exhibited  a  tactical  skill  and  fighting  power  unsur- 
passed by  the  oldest  General  in  the  field,  and  equaled  by  few. 

"  In  the  fore  part  of  December,  with  his  own  corps  and  a  part 
of  the  Second,  he  moved  out  of  his  camps  and  destroyed  twenty 
miles  of  the  Weldon  Railroad,  besides  station-houses  and  bridges. 
On  his  return  he  burned  Sussex  Court-house,  in  retaliation  for 
brutal  treatment  and  murder  of  some  of  our  stragglers  ;  and  was 
back  in  his  old  quarters  before  the  enemy  had  fairly  waked  up  to 
see  what  a  terrible  blow  had  been  struck  them. 


:  u  Grant  and  Sherman,  their  Campaigns  and  Generals." — J.  T.  HHADLEY. 
19 


434        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

"  In  the  final  movement  of  the  campaign  of  Grant,  when  Gen- 
eral Sheridan  took  the  advance  on  the  extreme  left  of  Dinvviddie 
Court-house,  he  came  upon  the  enemy  a  few  miles  beyond,  at 
'  Five  Forks,'  and  was  defeated  and  compelled  to  fall  back  to 
Dinwiddie.*  Warren's  corps  was  at  once  sent  to  his  relief.  It 
had  been  fighting  all  day  (one  division,  Griffin's,  had  been  en- 
gaged also  the  day  before,  and  the  corps  had  suffered  a  loss  of 
eighteen  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded),  yet  he  sent  a  portion 
of  it  forward  immediately,  which  marched  all  night,  reaching 
Sheridan  next  morning.  The  rest  of  his  corps  rapidly  followed, 
and  Warren,  as  ordered,  reported  to  Sheridan  on  his  arrival,  who 
assumed  entire  command.  Sheridan  now  being  strong,  advanced 
against  the  enemy,  and  at  *  Five  Forks '  found  them  at  bay, 
strongly  intrenched.  Warren  was  now  directed  to  move  with 
his  whole  corps  on  the  enemy's  left  flank  while  the  cavalry 
attacked  in  front.  With  his  usual  skill  and  promptitude,  he 
advanced  on  the  strong  position  in  three  lines  of  battle,  and 
sweeping  steadily  down,  carried  everything  before  him,  capturing 
the  rebel  artillery,  which  was  attempting  to  move  north,  and 
many  prisoners.  Finding  the  Confederate  front  still  holding  its 
ground  against  Sheridan's  cavalry,  he,  without  waiting  to  re-form, 
swept  down  on  the  hostile  line,  breaking  it  to  fragments,  and 
giving  the  cavalry  a  chance  to  dash  in  and  finish  the  work. 
Warren  in  this  last  movement  rode  with  his  staff  in  the  front, 
and  was  still  there  just  at  dusk,  his  men  shouting  the  victory, 
when  he  received  Sheridan's  order  relieving  him  of  command, 
and  directing  him  to  report  to  General  Grant.  Before  doing  so, 
he  sought  a  personal  interview,  and  asked  the  reason  of  his  being 
relieved.  With  strange  discourtesy  and  injustice,  the  latter 
refused  to  give  him  any." 

How  Grant  viewed  this  proceeding  may  be  inferred  from  the 
fact  that  he  immediately  placed  Warren  in  command  of  the 
defenses  of  City  Point  and  Bermuda  Hundred. 

In  May  he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Mississippi 
Department,  but  he  did  not  retain  it  long,  and  offered  his  resig- 


*  Extract  from  dispatch — General  Sheridan  to  General  Grant,  March  31,  1865  : 
"  This  force  is  too  strong  for  us.  I  will  hold  out  at  Dinwiddie  Court-house  until  I 
am  compelled  to  leave.'* 


Personal  Sketches.  435 

nation  as  Major-General  of  Volunteers,  but  retaining  his  rank  in 
the  Engineer  Corps. 

He  asked  for  an  investigation,  but  Grant  replied  that  it  was 
impossible,  in  the  disturbed  state  of  affairs,  to  assemble  a  court 
of  inquiry  at  the  time,  and  so  the  matter  dropped. 

"  Although  this  was  unjust  to  Warren,  perhaps  it  was  quite  as 
well  it  should  rest  so.  The  war  was  over,  the  country  jubilant 
and  filled  with  praises  of  Sheridan,  who  had  fought  nobly,  and 
contributed  largely  to  the  capture  of  Lee.  A  court  of  inquiry 
would,  of  course,  have  been  compelled  to  censure  him — an  un- 
gracious task  just  then  ;  while  his  condemnation  would  have 
changed  the  opinion  of  scarcely  any  one  in  or  out  of  the  army. 
The  people  felt  that  it  was  an  act  of  injustice,  born  of  sudden 
impatience  and  excitement,  such  as  he  has  often  committed,  and 
were  sorry  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  it,  but  preferred*  to  forget  it 
in  consideration  of  his  gallant  services ;  while  among  military 
men,  if  it  had  any  effect  at  all,  it  only  raised  Warren  higher  in 
their  estimation.  A  court  of  inquiry,  therefore,  would  have  had 
no  effect  on  his  reputation,  though,  as  an  act  of  justice,  it  was 
demanded.  He  could  much  better  afford  to  let  it  pass  than 
Sheridan  can.  A  sudden  act  of  injustice  may  be  pardoned  ;  per- 
sisting in  it  constitutes  its  chief  criminality." 

"Warren  at  this  time  was  about  thirty-five  years  of  age.  By 
those  most  qualified  to  judge,  he  was  considered  one  of  the  best, 
if  not  the  best,  tacticians  in  the  army.  W7ith  a  nervous,  quick 
temperament,  balanced  by  strong  reflective  powers,  and  perfect 
knowledge  of  his  profession,  he  combines  all  the  qualities  of  a 
great  General." 

The  author  is  indebted  to  Headley's  work  for  many  of  the 
facts  above  given,  with  which  he  has  incorporated  his  own  notes 
and  the  statements  of  other  writers.  For  a  detailed  account  of 
the  "  Battle  of  Five  Forks,"  and  all  the  movements  of  General 
Warren  with  the  Fifth  Corps,  with  maps  and  copies  of  his  orders, 
see  "  Warren's  Defense,"  published  by  D.  Van  Nostrand  (1866). 

General  Warren  was  breveted  Major-General  in  the  Regular 
Army,  March  13,  1865. 

In  speaking  of  Warren's  attack,  Swinton  says  in  his  History : 
"  After  the  first  success,  the  men  halted.  Seeing  this  hesitation, 


436        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

Warren  dashed  forward,  calling  to  those  near  him  to  follow. 
Insphed  by  his  example,  the  color-bearers  and  officers  all  along 
the  front  sprang  out,  and,  without  more  firing,  the  men  charged 
at  the  pas  de  course,  capturing  all  that  remained  of  the  enemy. 
The  history  of  the  war  presents  no  equally  splendid  illustration 
of  personal  magnetism.  Warren  led  the  van  of  the  rushing  lines  ; 
his  horse  was  fatally  shot  within  a  few  feet  of  the  breastworks, 
an  orderly  was  killed  by  his  side,  and  he  himself  was  in  imminent 
peril,  when  a  gallant  officer,  Colonel  Richardson,  of  the  Seventh 
Wisconsin,  sprang  between  him  and  the  enemy,  receiving  a  se- 
vere wound,  but  shielding  from  hurt  the  person  of  his  loved  com- 
mander." 

"  A  charge  of  cavalry  completed  the  rout ;  there  were  captured 
many  colors  and  guns  and  about  5,000  prisoners  ;  the  Fifth 
Corps  capturing  of  these,  3,244  men,  with  their  arms,  eleven  regi- 
mental colors,  and  one  four-gun  battery,  with  its  caissons.  The 
cavalry  loss  was  a  few  hundred,  that  of  the  Fijth  Corps,  634 
killed  and  wounded." 

General  Warren  says  in  his  "  Defense  " — "  General  Sheridan 
says :  '  I  therefore  relieved  him  from  the  command  of  the  Fifth 
Corps,  authority  for  this  action  having  been  sent  to  me  before  the 
battle,  unsolicited.' 

"  From  the  time  that  authority  reached  him,  he,  apparently, 
sought  occasion  to  use  it.  I  say  this  with  regret ;  but  the  tone 
of  the  report  toward  me,  and  his  hasty  action,  indicate  that  it 
was  so.  If  a  victory  won  by  my  command,  under  my  direction, 
could  not  gain  me  credit,  where  the  plans  made  were,  as  he  says, 
'successfully  executed'  and  where  my  efforts  and  directions  were 
known  to  almost  every  one,  then  nothing  could." 

An  incident  that  occurred  at  the  re-union  of  several  of  the 
Army  Corps  will  indicate  the  opinion  of  the  soldiers,  as  well  as 
of  the  highest  officers  in  the  land,  in  their  estimate  of  Warren's 
services,  even  in  the  presence  of  Sheridan  himself.  The  Asso- 
ciated Press  gave  the  following  report  of  the  occurrences  : 

THE  VETERANS'  RE-UNION. 

"  HARRISBURG,  PENN.,  May  12,  1874. — This  morning,  the 
2d,  5th,  and  6th  corps  met  respectively  in  the  House  of  Repre- 


Personal  Sketches.  437 

sentativcs,  State  Library,  and  Senate  Chamber.  The  5th  corps 
convened  in  the  State  Library,  General  Sweitzer  in  the  chair. 
General  Warren,  the  gallant  commander  of  the  old  5th  corps, 
was  called  upon  to  address  the  meeting,  which  he  did. 

"  The  6th  corps  meeting  was  held  in  the  Senate  Chamber — 
General  Taylor  in  the  chair.  The  attendance  was  fair.  At  1 1 
o'clock  a  grand  procession  was  formed  in  front  of  the  Capitol, 
with  Generals  Sherman,  Sheridan,  Hancock,  Doubleday,  Scho- 
field,  and  McDowel,  Governor  Hartranft,  Senator  Cameron, 
Auditor-General  Allen,  Supervisor-General  Heath,  and  other 
distinguished  soldiers^  and  civilians  in  carnages.  Amid  the 
thunder  of  cannon  the  line  was  formed,  and  the  march  to  the 
Grand  Opera-House  commenced.  The  Masonic  building  was 
gayly  decorated  with  the  national  colors  and  the  army  flags  and 
devices  of  the  different  corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Upon 
the  spacious  stage  were  Generals  Sherman,  Sheridan,  Hancock, 
Schofield,  Doubleday,  Burnside,  and  a  host  of  others. 

"  As  the  presence  of  General  Warren  was  announced  from  the 
platform,  loud  cries  for  the  veteran  commander  of  the  old  5th 
corps  went  up  from  hundreds  of  throats.  As  nothing  else  could 
restore  order,  the  General,  who  wa3  in  the  audience,  arose  and 
came  forward,  amid  deafening  applause.  There  were  two 
thousand  persons  in  the  house,  and  at  least  three  times  that 
number  surging  outside." 

This  episode  shows  conclusively  that  the  great  military  ability 
and  services  of  General  Warren,  from  the  first  battle  of  the  war 
to  the  last,  were  acknowledged,  in  a  conspicuous  manner,  by 
those  most  competent  to  judge  ;  and  that  the  imputations  of  one 
man,  though  a  successful  and  great  General,  were  wiped  out  by 
the  verdict  of  thousands. 

General  Warren  says,  in  a  communication  to  the  New  York 
Herald,  dated  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  July  26,  1878:  "At  the 
battle  of  Five  Forks  I  was  not  relieved  till  after  the  battle  had 
ceased.  Thousands  of  soldiers  in  the  5th  army  corps,  and  many 
in  the  ranks  of  our  foes,  can  testify  that  I  led  the  final  attack 
that  completed  that  victory.  There  was  no  cause  to  take  me 
away  from  any  misconduct,  and  General  Grant  would  never 
allow  me  a  court  of  inquiry,  because  thereby  I  could  have  shown 
there  was  no  cause.  I  claim  the  honors  of  that  (lav are  mine." 


43 8         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

During  the  time  that  General  Warren  was  connected  with  the 
5th  New  York,  which  covered  its  full  term  of  service,  with  the 
exception  of  about  four  months,  he  was  either  in  command  or 
had  it  under  his  eye  in  his  brigade,  where  it  held  the  post  of 
honor.  The  men  placed  implicit  confidence  in  him  as  a  leader, 
and  were  always  ready  to  obey  his  orders  unflinchingly.  They 
were  sure  that  he  would  never  shrink  from  any  duty,  and  always 
set  an  example  by  leading  the  way.  In  action,  it  seemed  to  the 
men  that  he  was  everywhere  at  the  same  moment,  and  he  al- 
ways appeared  to  be  perfectly  indifferent  to  bullets  or  shell,  and 
must  have  borne  a  charmed  life,  from  the  manner  in  which  he 
exposed  himself.  He  attended  to  the  slightest  details  person- 
ally, and  many  a  time  has  he  seized  a  spade  or  pick  out  of  the 
hands  of  a  lazy  soldier  to  show  him  how  to  dig.  From  the  first 
day  General  Warren  made  his  appearance  in  the  regiment,  to 
the  last,  the  effect  of  his  superior  practical  knowledge,  in  all 
matters  appertaining  to  the  school  of  the  soldier,  was  apparent 
in  the  discipline,  drill,  and  efficiency  of  the  regiment.  The  men 
often  wondered  whether  he  passed  any  time  in  sleep.  General 
Warren  disliked  bombast,  and  was  not  in  the  habit  of  speaking 
of  his  own  deeds,  but  preferred  to  let  the  results  of  his  actions 
show  for  themselves. 

The  army  and  the  nation  have  a  common  interest  in  the  record 
and  the  life  of  such  a  soldier. 


MAJOR— J.   MANSFIELD  DAVIES. 

J.  MANSFIELD  DAVIES  was  a  son  of  Professor  Davies,  for- 
merly instructor  of  mathematics  at  the  West  Point  Military 
Academy,  and  received  his  education  at  Kinsley's  Military 
School,  West  Point.  He  resigned  from  the  5th  Regiment  Au- 
gust 17,  1861,  having  been  commissioned  Colonel  of  the  2d 
New  York,  Harris  Light  Cavalry  ;  from  which  regiment  he  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge  Decembe  •  6,  1862,  on  account 
of  ill-health,  engendered  from  exposure  in  the  field.  Through 
his  exertions  he  aided  greatly  in  the  organization  of  the  5th 
Regiment  New  York  Volunteers,  and  was  much  respected  by 
the  whole  command. 


Personal  Sketches.  439 


CHAPLAIN—REV.   GORDON  WINSLOW,   D.D. 

The  Rev,  GORDON  WINSLOW,  the  Chaplain  of  the  $th  Regi- 
ment, was  a  man  somewhat  advanced  in  years  when  the  war 
broke  out,  his  age  being  about  sixty.  At  that  time  he  was  settled 
over  a  parish  at  Staten  Island,  as  an  Episcopalian  minister.  He 
was  a  type  of  the  old  Revolutionary  stock,  possessing  an  iron  consti- 
tution, capable  of  enduring  any  amount  of  hardship,  with  an  act- 
ive, untiring,  energetic  disposition,  and  having  a  strong  love  for 
his  country,  he  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer  his  services  when 
the  authority  of  the  Government  was  set  at  defiance.  He  was  a 
man  that  knew  no  fear,  and  always  was  to  be  found  on  the  ad- 
vance line,  sometimes  even  ahead  of  the  skirmishers,  and  he 
never  thought  of  danger  or  spared  himself  when  he  could  be  of 
any  benefit  to  the  wounded.  He  obtained  the  appointment  of 
Chaplain  to  the  $th  New  York  Volunteers,  but  the  performance 
of  the  duties  that  rightfully  belonged  to  the  position  was  Only  a 
small  part  of  the  responsibilities  that  he  assumed.  He  served  all 
through  with  the  regiment,  and  was  mustered  out  with  it,  May 
14,  1863.  One  of  his  sons  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Fifth ;  another, 
Cleveland  Winslow,  CoL  of  the  Fifth,  organized  a  new  regiment 
of  Zouaves,  called  the  5th  Veterans,  and  on  his  being  ordered  to 
the  front  with  his  command,  his  father  accompanied  it  as  Chap- 
lain, but  he  was  soon  after  made  Sanitary  Inspector  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  in  this  position  his  services  were  invaluable. 
There  are  thousands  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  who,  if  living  to- 
day, can  testify  to  his  kindness  and  untiring  zeal  in  their  behalf 
night  and  day.  Hundreds  of  soldiers,  could  they  wake  from  the 
dead,  would  tell  how  he  ministered  unto  them  in  their  dying 
hours,  and  received  their  last  message  or  memento  for  the 
friends  at  home.  The  fate  of  many  a  fallen  hero  would  never 
have  been  known  to  surviving  relatives  had  it  not  been  for  his 
fidelity  and  sympathy.  The  perusal  of  his  daily  journal  awakens 
surprise  that  a  man  of  his  advanced  years  could  perform  all  the 
duties  which  he  undertook.  He  visited  camps  and  inspected  the 
sick  of  the  various  regiments  day  after  day  and  night  after  night, 
traveling  with  his  favorite  horse,1"  Captive,"  over  the  most  diffi- 
cult roads,  in  storm  or  calm,  often  under  fire,  and  partaking  of 


44O        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

such  hospitality  as  a  camp  affords.  A  few  hours  were  spent  in 
sleep  here  and  there  on  the  ground,  and  then  his  tireless  rounds 
were  resumed,  looking  after  ambulances  and  the  sick  and  wounded, 
who  were  always  demanding  his  attention  ;  he  inspected  the  med- 
ical stores,  examined  and  weighed  blankets  to  see  that  they  came 
up  to  the  standard,  and  performed  a  thousand  other  duties  of  the 
long  detail  of  a  sanitary  officer. 

On  May  3,  1864,  when  General  Grant's  great  army  commenced 
their  move  on  Richmond,  he  was  on  General  Warren's  staff. 
From  his  journal,  the  author  quotes,  under  date  of  May  3d, 
Tuesday : 

"  Left  at  night  for  Culpepper  to  join  General  Warren  ;  moved 
at  12^  A.M."  "Fourth,  Wednesday,  A.M.,  moved  the  entire 
army  to  Germania  Ford  ;  General  Warren  and  myself  arrived  at 
the  Ford  at  6%  A.M.,  before  the  pontoons  were  completed  ;  went 
over  and  saw  them  completed,"  etc.  Thus  he  continued  from 
day  to  day,  leading  a  most  active  and  useful  life.  Occasionally 
on  his  rounds,  he  visited  his  son,  the  Colonel.  Finally,  Wednes- 
day, June  ist,  after  describing  the  movements  of  the  troops,  and 
an  engagement  then  taking  place,  he  says : 

"  General  Ayres,  of  the  regulars,  received  the  old  5th  New 
York  Veteran  Volunteers,  who  were  at  once  put  into  the  fight, 
and  acquitted  themselves  well."  On  the  2d,  after  giving  a  de- 
tailed account  of  more  fighting,  and  his  own  movements,  he 
closes  his  account  for  the  day  with  "  Cleve  was  wounded" 
Friday,  June  3d  :  "  Went  over  to  find  '  Cleve  ; '  found  him  in  a 
cellar  of  a  house,  which  was  being  shelled,  on  our  right."  And 
then  continues  with  a  general  description  of  a  heavy  engage- 
ment, and — "  Rode  all  day  to  the  several  hospitals  ;  "  "  brought 
Cleve  to  the  6th  corps  hospital  and  stayed  with  him  overnight." 
"  Wound  in  the  left  shoulder,  minie  ball,  making  exit  from  the 
back,"  etc.  "The  wound  was  much  inflamed  by  his  return  to 
the  field,  after  being  dressed.  He  passed  the  night  comfortably. 
I  slept  on  the  ground  under  the  same  fly." 

Two  brave  hearts,  father  and  son  !  The  wounded  Colonel, 
a  month  after  was  laid  in  his  grave.  The  father  who  watched 
over  him,  in  three  days  after  his  son's  wound,  was  drowned  in  the 
Potomac. 


Personal  Sketches.  441 

The  last  entry  in  the  journal,  June  5th,  White  House,  appears  to 
be  a  copy  of  a  note  sent : 

"SUNDAY  EVG. 

"  DEAR  GEN.  : — I  have  hardly  time  to  say  we  arrived  on  Sat- 
urday, and  expect  to  go  out  to-morrow  at  3  o'clock."  "  June 
6th."  (A  loving  hand  has  written,  as  if  the  dead  Divine  was  con- 
tinuing his  journal).  June  "jtht  Tuesday  morning.  "  AT  HOME 
IN  THE  PARADISE  OF  GOD."  Also,  "Dr.  Winslow  was  spared 
the  agony  of  knowing  the  extent  of  his  son's  wound — a  gun-shot 
fracture  of  the  left  shoulder — which  resulted  in  the  death  of  the 
Colonel  on  the  7th  of  July,  1864,  at  the  Mansion  House  Hospital, 
Alexandria,  Va." 

PRESS  CORRESPONDENCE. 

"  Our  boats  were  being  filled  with  special  cases  of  wounded 
ones  ;  among  whom  was  Colonel  Winslow,  a  son  of  the  lamented 
Dr.  Winslow,  so  long  and  so  favorably  known  in  connection  with 
the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission.  He  was  brought  from 
the  front  to  the  boat  by  his  father,  whose  tenderness  for  his  ch.ld 
equaled  that  of  a  mother,"  etc.,  etc. 

Dr.  Winslow  was  drowned  from  this  boat,  while  in  the  act  of 
drawing  a  bucket  of  water  from  the  side  of  the  vessel  while  sail- 
ing up  the  Potomac,  being  in  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  his  age.  (His 
body  was  never  recovered). 

The  following  extracts  from  some  of  the  letters  written  by  Dr. 
Winslow  during  the  earlier  part  of  the  war,  will  be  read  with 
interest  by  all  members  of  the  Fifth,  not  only  as  mementoes  of 
our  much  respected  Chaplain,  but  as  a  part  of  the  history  of  the 
regiment.  It  is  to  be  very  much  regretted  that  the  journal  which 
he  kept  during  the  two  years'  service  of  the  Fifth,  was  lost  from 
one  of  the  wagons,  at  Aquia  Creek,  during  our  homeward  march  : 

"  CAMP  BUTLER,  May  27,  1861. 

"  We  are  well  settled  at  our  camp  life — the  staff  occupying 
quarters  with  the  Colonel  in  an  old  mansion,  on  a  plantation  of 
great  beauty  directly  upon  the  bay.  This  carries  us  quite  out 
beyond  all  the  others,  and  gives  us  the  right  to  our  title  of  the 
'  Advance  Guard.'  The  Secession  arms  glistening  in  our  sight. 


442         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

But  they  begin  to  realize  the  dangerous  proximity  of  our  Zouaves. 
Every  day  we  push  out  somewhat,  and  every  night  a  scout  or  an 
attacking  party  is  on  the  move,  and  thus  far  without  bloodshed. 
Last  night  a  company  was  detailed  on  a  secret  expedition  to 
attack  a  large  building,  called  a  college,  declared  to  be  dangerous, 
being  well  stored  with  Secessionists.  I  was  detailed  to  accom- 
pany the  expedition,  which  opportunity  I  was  glad  to  improve. 
We  started  at  eleven  o'clock,  with  muskets,  and  ten  rounds  of  ball 
cartridge,  revolvers,  etc.  Our  passage  lay  up  the  banks  of  a  stream 
for  some  two  miles,  then  crossing  over  and  passing  down  upon 
the  other  bank  some  two  and  a  half  miles,  much  of  the  time  upon 
our  knees  or  in  a  stooping  position  quite  to  the  ground,  listening 
at  every  few  steps  till  within  a  few  hundred  yards,  when  we 
divided  into  separate  parts  and  surrounded  the  college  and  several 
villas,  and  closed  in  gradually  till  near  the  spot  of  attack,  when 
the  Captain,  with  two  or  three,  went  forward  and  demanded  a 
surrender  unconditionally.  The  thing  was  done  without  resist- 
ance, and  we  took  possession,  and  passed  the  night  in  guarding 
the  grounds  about  from  outward  or  inward  attack.  Several 
shots  were  fired  from  across  the  stream  and  arm  of  the  bay,  on 
either  side,  during  the  night,  but  nobody  was  hurt." 

After  giving  an  account  of  an  encounter  with  a  patrol  from 
camp,  who  were  mistaken  for  an  enemy,  as  they  did  not  have  the 
countersign,  and  in  which  he  fired  his  first  shot,  he  says : 

"  At  sunrise  we  raised  the  flag  of  our  Union  on  top  of  the 
dome,  and  gave  the  whole  into  the  hands  of  a  relief  guard  and 
returned  to  camp.  It  was  considered  a  successful  enterprise. 
Last  night  Captain  Winslow  was  detailed  on  a  similar  enterprise 
with  his  company.  He  reported  a  complete  success,  having  taken 
the  place  occupied  by  some  Secession  spies.  Captain  Winslow 
returned  with  his  prisoners  at  about  three  o'clock  A.M.  The 
prisoners  have  just  been  called  before  a  court  of  inquiry,  and 
turned  over  to  General  Butler  for  judgment." 

Extract  of  a  letter  dated  Washington,  July  29,  1861  : 
"  I  am  getting  to  be  quite  a  business  man,  which  agrees  with 
me  much.     1  should  like  to  be  General  for  about  one  month,  to 
try  my  hand  at  it." — "  I  have  no  wish  to  leave  the  Chaplaincy, 


?t 
Personal  Sketches.  443 

but  I  am  determined  to  stick  to  the  war  to  the  last,  and  do  it  like 
a.  man ;  and  if  they  cut  me  off  in  one  direction,  I  shall  turn  their 
flank  in  another,  and  carry  the  day." 

Doctor  Winslow  had  a  former  slave  as  his  servant,  who  was 
brought  on  with  him  from  Camp  Hamilton,  but  not  without  some 
trouble,  as  the  following  goes  to  show  : 

"  CAMP  FEDERAL  HILL,  BALTIMORE^  ) 
August  9,  1 86 1.  f 

"  Jim  is  with  me.  He  is  a  regular  specimen  of  an  old  aristo- 
cratic slave.  The  Dutch  soldiers  at  Hampton  were  about  to  hang 
him  as  a  spy  when  I  arrived  from  Washington.  When  I  demanded 
his  release,  he  was  brought  to  Colonel  Webber's  quarters,  and  on 
seeing  me,  nearly  fainted.  When  revived,  he  cried  :  '  Lord  God 
Almighty  !  I'd  rather  see  ole  massa  than  my  fader  and  modder 
raisin'  out  ob  der  graves — Oh,  golly !  whew?'  If  he  continues 
faithful,  I  shall  be  sorry 'to  part  with  him." 

In  speaking  of  his  horse,  which  was  captured  by  some  of  the 
Zouaves,  back  of  Hampton,  while  on  a  scout,  he  says : 

"  Captive  is  well,  and  quite  the  admiration  of  all.  I  had  quite 
a  time  in  getting  him  from  the  Provost  Marshal.  The  Regulars 
called  it  storming  Gibraltar,  and  thought  it  could  not  be  taken. 
But  they  lived  to  see  it  was  taken,  and  by  a  regular  process,  and 
so  effectually  that  no  question  can  hereafter  be  raised  on  the 
subject  of  rightful  ownership." 

CAMP  FEDERAL  HILL,  August  11,  1861.  I 
Sunday,  10  P.M.      I 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  keep  up  with  time  when  anything 
extra  is  expected.  Every  hour  has  its  allotted  work.  A  thou- 
sand visitors  at  least  have  been  in  camp  to-day.  At  7  A.M.  we 
had  a  battalion  inspection  and  review  on  the  street  in  the  city ; 
then  came  inspection  of  hospital ;  then  inspection  of  camp  and 
quarters,  which  brought  us  near  to  n  o'clock  ;  then  divine  serv- 
ice, which  held  till  dinner  at  I  P.M  ;  then  general  lounging  and 
repose  from  two  to  three ;  then  mustering  of  delinquents  and 
squads  for  evening  parade,  which  calls  for  special  inspection 
from  the  officers  of  the  several  companies.  In  the  meantime  I 
look  after  the  sick  in  hospitals  and  the  ailing  in  camp,  which 


Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

brings  us  to  time  for  dress  parade  and  general  drill ;  after  which 
the  general  orders  are  published,  which  this  evening  were  very 
lengthy,  and  among  which  I  am  personally  interested,  viz. :  the 
one  which  confirms  my  commission  and  rank  as  that  of  cavalry 
Captain  in  the  army,  defining  the  duties,  responsibilities,  etc. 
("  I  have  a  call  from  two  officers").  It  is  now  eleven  as  I  re- 
sume. The  subject  of  conversation  with  the  officers  was  peculiar. 
It  related  to  the  possibility  of  our  being  blown  up.  The  fact  is, 
the  hill  on  which  our  camp  is  situated  is  completely  undermined. 
For  many  years  it  has  been  the  resort  for  white  sand  for  making 
glass,  etc.,  until  immense  caves  running  in  all  directions  and  near- 
ly through  the  whole  extent  have  been  excavated,  and  probably 
owing  to  this  fact,  it  has  been  suggested  that  a  few  barrels  of 
powder  placed  beneath  our  camp  would,  if  ignited,  give  us  an 
uncomfortable  ascent  to  unexplored  parts.  We  have  come  to  the 
wise  conclusion  that  thi  j  must  be  looked  after.  I  have  not  yet 
been  out  into  the  city  to  any  extent  except  to  give  "  Captive" 
a  little  airing  on  two  occasions.  We  generally  are  hailed  with 
"cheers  for  Jeff  Davis  and  the  Southern  Confederacy,"  which  is 
indicative  that  the  cat  is  only  scotched,  not  killed,  in  these  parts. 
We  never  retort,  and  probably  in  time  they  will  find  that  it  don't 
pay  to  cheer  us.  We  had  the  long  roll  last  night,  or  rather  this 
morning,  about  2  o'clock.  The  camp  was  all  alive  and  every 
man  under  arms  in  about  five  minutes.  It  was  a  false  alarm, 
but  it  shows  the  discipline  of  the  regiment.  It  is  raining  and 
very  dark,  with  prospect  of  a  wet  time,  etc.  I  have  been  so  ac- 
customed to  sleep  on  a  board  that  a  bed  would  now  appear 
strange,  etc. 

The  poor  fellows  on  guard  to-night  will  have  a  moist  time  of 
it.  One  man  yesterday  fell  off  the  bank  and  injured  his  back — 
and  one  man  was  sun-struck  to-day  on  guard  while  we  were  a.t 
service,  etc.  My  eyes  begin  to  ask  for  sleep,  so  I  will  add  a  line 
in  the  morning. 

Morning. — It  rains  and  has  done  so  nearly  all  night,  yet  the 
gun  fires  and  the  reveille  beats  as  regularly  as  under  clear  skies, 
etc.  G.  W. 


Personal  Sketches.  445 

CAMP  FEDERAL  HILL,  BALTIMORE. 

Since  I  last  wrote  I  have  been  like  a  shuttle-cock,  to  and  from 
Washington  and  Fortress  Monroe,  with  dispatches,  which  has 
brought  me  in  contact  with  all  the  heads  of  departments  and 
with  the  different  Generals.  I  found  General  McDowell  at  Ar- 
lington Heights,  in  sadness  at  his  discomfiture.  He  said,  the 
victory  was  ours  at  Bull  Run  up  to  the  opening  of  a  masked 
battery  on  the  flank,  near  where  an  array  of  spectators,  editors, 
Congressmen,  women,  etc.,  were  assembled  to  see  the  battle,  and 
who  at  once  took  to  flight ;  this  alarmed  the  teamsters,  and 
finally  the  retreat,  or  rather  stampede,  was  irresistible.  At  this 
moment  large  reserves  of  the  enemy  came  up  and  changed  the 
whole  fate  of  the  day.  It  was  a  bad  affair,  but  I  have  no  doubt 
it  will  do  good  by  bringing  up  our  officers  and  men  to  the  true 
idea  that  we  are  warring  with  men  of  prowess  and  determina- 
tion, with  the  best  materials  of  warfare,  in  positions  of  strength 
and  where  strategic  movements  are  greatly  facilitated  by  a 
familiar  acquaintance  with  the  topography  of  the  country.  We 
have  much  more  to  do  than  has  been  imagined,  and  I  think  that 
General  Scott  was  decidedly  right  in  his  judgment  and  plans, 
which  unfortunately  were  overruled  by  the  host  of  politicians, 
Congressmen,  editors,  President,  and  all.  The  fact  is,  they  wished 
to  see  a  battle,  supposing  of  course  we  must  whip  the  Southern- 
ers. I  hope  hereafter  all  civilians  found  on  the  battle-field  from 
curiosity  will  be  shot,  by  order  of  court-martial  ;  and  all  women 
found  there  will  be  obliged  to  carry  a  pack  and  arms.  It  is  no 
place  for  idle  spectators  or  curiosity-mongers,  etc.  We  have 
had  a  grand  review  by  Major-General  Dix,  who  seems  much 
pleased  with  the  regiment.  Our  desire  was  to  be  placed  on  the 
advance  of  the  army,  but  Scott  and  Dix  regard  this  as  the  most 
important  position  at  this  moment  to  be  occupied.  There  is,  it 
is  believed,  a  deep  plot  to  cross  from  Harper's  Ferry  and  join 
the  secret  enemies  in  this  city.  This  requires  the  utmost  dis- 
cretion, forbearance,  and  soldierly  bearing,  to  know  all  that  tran- 
spires without  provoking  resistance,  and  yet  be  able  to  quell 
them  at  a  moment's  notice,  etc.  We  have  a  great  number  of 
applicants  for  officers  from  our  regiment.  I  think  no  less  than 


446        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

ten  Captains  and  twice  as  many  Lieutenants  have  been  taken 
from  us.  But  still  we  can  stand  it.  Half  of  our  men  are  capa- 
ble of  making  officers  better  than  we  often  find. 

Major-General  Dix  also  desired  me  as  military  secretary,  which 
would,  rank  me  as  Major,  but  it  would  be  too  inactive.  I  would 
rather  be  a  soldier  on  constant  drill  than  be  idle.  You  will  be- 
lieve this  from  what  you  know  of  my  habit,  etc.  G.  W. 

The  correspondent  of  a  New  York  journal,  in  speaking  of  the 
wounded  at  Gettysburg,  reported  as  follows  : 

"  The  Sanitary  Commission  are  still  supplying  the  wounded  at 
Gettysburg  with  delicacies.  The  patients  are  reported  to  be  im- 
proving slowly.  The  good  work  is  in  charge  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Gordon  Winslow,  chaplain  of  Duryee's  Zouaves,  5th  New  York 
Regiment,  who  is  unremitting  in  his  attention  to  the  sufferers 
under  his  care,"  etc. 

After  the  battle  of  Big  Bethel,  Dr.  Winslow  remained  in  the 
rear  of  the  retreating  troops,  looking  after  and  caring  for  the 
wounded.  He  was  at  one  time  cut  off  from  the  main  body  by  a 
party  of  mounted  Confederates,  and  remained  hid  in  the  brush  for 
several  hours.  He  saw  the  enemy  pass  by  his  hiding-place 
several  times,  and  a  Confederate  sentinel  was  posted  within 
eighty  feet  of  him.  At  camp  he  was  thought  to  have  been 
surely  taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy,  but  he  eluded  them  and 
made  his  way  back,  arriving  at  camp  about  midnight. 


ADJUTANT— JOSEPH  E.  HAMBLIN. 

JOSEPH  E.  HAMBLIN  was  a  man  of  giant  proportions,  stand- 
ing six  feet  four  inches  in  height,  and  was  a  universal  favorite 
with  the  officers  and  men.  He  had  been  through  some  nrlitary 
experience  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 
He  was  conspicuous  in  the  Kansas  border  troubles,  and  was  in 
the  expedition  to  Montgomery,  and  on  General  Frost's  staff.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  was  a  member  of  the  yth  Regt. 


Personal  Sketches.  447 

N.  G.  S.  New  York,  and  received  a  commission  as  Second  Lieu- 
tenant in  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers. 

The  following  is  from  the  New  York  Times  of  March,  1867  : 

"  In  General  Order  No.  3,  under  date  of  March  7,  Major- 
General  Alexander  Shaler  announces,  among  other  officers  ap- 
pointed to  his  staff,  the  name  of  Joseph  E.  Hamblin,  Division 
Inspector,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel. 

"  Colonel  and  Brevet  Major-General  Joseph  E.  Hamblin  was 
for  several  years  a  member  of  the  7th  Regiment,  having  served 
as  Orderly  Sergeant  in  one  of  the  companies  of  that  command. 

"When  the  Rebellion  broke  out  in  1861,  Hamblin  was  appoint- 
ed by  Colonel  (afterward  Brigadier-General)  Abram  Duryee,  as 
Adjutant  of  the  Zouave  Regiment  (5th  New  York  Volunteers), 
which  was  organi  \  g  for  two  years  or  the  war.  In  this  capacity 
he  served  in  the  summer  of  1861,  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  under 
General  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  and  was  present  at  Big  Bethel,  the 
first  battle  of  the  war. 

"The  Fifth  was  transferred  to  Baltimore  in  July,  1861,  and 
Hamblin  was  commissioned  a  Captain  August  27th.  He  was 
subsequently  commissioned  Major  in  the  65th  New  York  Volun- 
teers (United  States  Chasseurs),  dated  from  November  3,  1861. 
After  the  Peninsula  campaign,  Hamblin,  with  rank  from  July  20, 
1862,  became  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  his  regiment." 

"  This  promotion  he  had  won  by  hard  service  before  Yorktown, 
at  Williamsburgh,  Fair  Oaks,  Glendale,  and  Malvern  Hill." 

As  Lieutenant-Colonel,  he  participated  in  the  battles  of  An- 
tietam,  Fredericksburg,  first  and  second ;  in  the  storming  of 
Marye's  Heights  in  the  morning,  and  the  defense  of  Salem 
Heights  in  the  afternoon — both  on  the  left  of  that  line  of  en- 
gagements known  as  Chancellors ville.  Colonel  Shaler  having 
received  his  Brigadier's  commission  for  gallant  conduct  at  the 
capture  of  Marye's  Heights,  Hamblin  became  Colonel  of  the 
Chasseurs,  with  rank  from  May  26,  1863,  and  as  such  (in  the 
6th  Corps),  was  at  Rappahannock  Station,  Gettysburg,  and 
Mine  Run  under  Meade  ;  in  the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  and 
Cold  Harbor,  under  Grant ;  and  at  Winchester,  Fisher's  Hill, 
and  Cedar  Creek,  under  Sheridan,  when  he  was  made  Brevet 
Brigadier-General  '.'  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  at  the 


448         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

battle  of  Cedar  Creek,"  at  which  battle  he  was  desperately 
wounded  in  the  thigh.  On  his  return  to  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac in  front  of  Petersburg,  General  Hamblin  assumed  command 
of  a  brigade  in  Wheaton's  (ist  division)  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  where 
he  participated  in  the  second  battle  of  Hatcher's  Run,  Va.,  and 
finally  at  Sailor's  Creek,  commissioned  as  Brigadier- General  of 
Volunteers,  with  rank  from  May  19,  1865.  Hamblin  was  made 
Brevet  Major-General,  with  rank  from  April  5,  1865,  for  "con- 
spicuous gallantry  in  Sheridan's  great  victory  of  Sailor's  Creek," 
and  with  that  rank  was  mustered  out  of  the  United  States 
service. 

The  following  obituary  tribute  to  General  Hamblin  appeared 
in  the  New  York  Times,  July  5,  1870: 

"  Major-General  Joseph  E.  Hamblin,  a  brief  announcement  of 
whose  death  appeared  in  these  columns  yesterday,  was  one  of 
the  most  gallant  soldiers  that  fought  for  the  Union  in  the  late 
war,  and  a  gentleman  whose  character  was  without  a  blemish. 
He  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  in  1828.  In  April,  1861,  he  was 
appointed  Adjutant  in  the  famous  5th  New  York  Volunteers — 
better  known  as  Duryee's  Zouaves.  [The  sketch  of  his  military 
career  is  omitted].  He  sheathed  his  sword  at  the  end  of  the 
war,  when  his  country  had  no  further  need  of  his  services,  and 
has  since  resided  in  this  city ;  and,  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  the  forty-third  year  of  his  age,  he  held  the 
responsible  position  of  Superintendent  of  Agencies  for  the  Com- 
monwealth Fire  Insurance  Company.  General  Hamblin's  genial 
and  generous  qualities  endeared  him  to  a  host  of  friends." 

HEADQUARTERS  7TH  REGIMENT,      J 
NATIONAL  GUARD  S.  N.  Y., 

NEW  YORK,  July  4,  1870.  ) 

The  Commandant  with  regret  announces  to  this  command 
the  death  of  Brevet  Major-General  Joseph  E.  Hamblin. 

General  Hamblin  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  member 
of  this  regiment,  and  served  with  great  distinction  in  the  army 
during  the  recent  Rebellion.  As  a  token  of  respect  to  his 
memory,  the  members  'of  this  regiment  are  requested  to  act  as 


Personal  Sketches.  449 

mourners,  and  will  assemble  in  full  uniform  (gray  pants),  at  the 
Armory,  on  Tuesday,  5th  inst.,  at  i  o'clock  P.M. 
By  order  of 

COLONEL  EMMONS  CLARK. 
Louis  FITZGERALD, 

Brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Adjutant. 


)IVISION,    \ 

1.  N.  Y.,      V 

y  4,  1870. ) 


HEADQUARTERS  IST  DIVISION, 
NATIONAL  GUARD  S. 
NEW  YORK,  July 
GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  5. 

I.  It  is  with  the  deepest  regret  that  the  General  commanding 
announces  to  the  division  that  Brevet  Major-General  Joseph  E. 
Hamblin,  late  Assistant  Adjutant-General  and  Chief  of  Staff  of 
the  1st  division,  who  served  with  such  well-known  distinction  in 
the  late  war  for  the  Union,  died  at  his  residence  yesterday,  the 
3d  inst. 

II.  The  following  detail  is  ordered  as  an  escort  to  his  remains  : 
The  9th  Regiment   Infantry ;  the  troop  of  Washington  Grays, 
Cavalry  ;  and  the  Separate  Troop  Cavalry,  Captain  Klein  com- 
manding ;  two  sections  of  Battery  K,  Artillery. 

III.  The   escort  will   be   commanded   by   Brigadier-General 
Postley,  and  will   report  to  him   in   Madison  Avenue,   between 
Twenty-fifth  and  Twenty-sixth  Streets,  at  1.30  o'clock  P.M.  on 
the  5th  inst. 

IV.  The  General  commanding  feels  that  this  information  will 
be  received  with  the  profoundest  sorrow  by  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  division,  and  is  assured  that  all  who  have  known  the  late 
General  Hamblin,  either  in  his  military  or  social  character,  will 
readily  accord  the  last  respects  due  one  who  has  been  so  well 
known  and  so  well-beloved.     The  officers  of  the  division  who 
desire  to  take  part  in  the  ceremonies  are  invited  to  attend  his 
funeral,  at  his  late  residence,  No.  136  Lexington  Avenue,  in  uni-' 
form,  and  will  assemble  at  the  Apollo  Rooms,  corner  of  Twenty- 
eighth  Street  and  Broadway,  at  1.30  P.M. 

V.  The  following  officers  have  been  requested  by  the  friends  of 
the  family  to  act   as   pall-bearers,  and  will  meet,  in   uniform, 


Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

mounted,  at  the  residence  of  the  General  commanding1,  No.  346 
West  Twenty -eighth  Street,  at  1.30  o'clock  P.M.  : 

Major-Gen.  Alex.  Shaler,  Brig.-Gen.  J.  H.  Libeneau, 

C.  K.  Graham,  "  G.  W.  Palmer, 

M.  T.  McMahon,  "  L.  Burger, 

"  A.  Duryee,  Colonel  John  Fowler,  Jr., 

Brig.-Gen.  Thomas  H.  Neill,  "      Wm.  H.  Chesebrough. 

H.  E.  Tremain,         Lieut.-Colonel  Geo.  T.  Haws. 

By  order  of 

MAJOR-GENERAL  ALEX.  SHALER. 
WM.  H.  CHESEBROUGH, 
Colonel  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General  and  Chief  of  Staff". 

HEADQUARTERS  9TH  REGIMENT   INFANTRY,  J 
NATIONAL  GUARD  S.  N.  Y., 

NEW  YORK,  July  4,  1870.  ) 
GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  13. 

This  regiment  having  been  detailed  as  funeral  escort  to  the 
late  Brevet  Major-General  Joseph  E.  Hamblin,  late  A.  A.  G. 
and  Chief  of  Staff,  ist  division  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  the  several  com- 
panies of  this  command  will  assemble  at  the  Armory  on  Tuesday, 
July  5,  at  12  o'clock  M.,  in  full-dress  uniform,  white  cross  and 
body  belts  (white  gloves).  Officers  will  wear  the  usual  badge  of 
mourning. 

By  command  of 

COLONEL  JAMES  FISK,  JR. 

EDGAR  S.  ALLIEN,  Adjutant. 

The  members  of  Kane  Lodge,  No.  454,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  the 
Veterans  of  the  7th  Regiment  N.  G.,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Marshall  Lefferts,  were  also  in  attendance  at  the  funeral. 


QUARTERMASTER— JOHN   HOWARD  WELLS. 

JOHN  HOWARD  WELLS  was  a  member  of  the  7th  Regiment 
N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  He  was  an  executive  and  competent  officer,  pos- 
sessed of  superior  business  qualifications.  He  resigned  his  com-* 


Personal  Sketches.  451 

mission  February  25,  1862,  to  accept  the  appointment  of  Com- 
missary, with  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the  United  States  army. 
He  served  to  the  end  of  the  war,  and  resigned  his  commission 
May  19,  1865. 


SURGEON— DR.   RUFUS   H.   GILBERT. 

DR.  GILBERT  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major  August  3, 
1 86 1,  and  transferred  to  the  regular  service,  where  he  continued 
to  the  end  of  the  war,  the  regiment  thereby  losing  the  services  of 
a  skillful  surgeon  and  an  accomplished  gentleman.  Dr.  Gilbert 
is  the  well-known  projector  of  the  Gilbert  Elevated  Railroad. 


SURGEON'S   MATE— B.   ELLIS   MARTIN. 

DR.  MARTIN  rendered  efficient  aid  in  the  care  of  the  wounded 
on  the  field  at  Big  Bethel,  June  10,  1861,  and  was  mentioned  in 
general  orders.  He  resigned  his  commission  February  n,  1862. 


CAPTAIN   OF   COMPANY   A— HARMON   D.  HULL. 

HARMON  D.  HULL  was  an  officer  of  the  7th  Regiment  N.  G.  S. 
N.  Y.,  commissioned  Captain  May  9,  1861,  in  the  5th  Regiment, 
New  York  Volunteers  ;  Major,  September  7th  of  the  same  year ; 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  October  29,  1862.  He  was  a  dashing  officer, 
and  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Games'  Mill,  June  27, 
1862.  He  resigned  his  commission  in  October,  1862,  and  subse- 
quently organized  the  i65th  Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers,  of 
which  corps  he  was  commissioned  Colonel,  and  was  ordered  with 
his  command  to  the  Department  of  the  Mississippi,  where  he  did 
much  active  service,  but  was  obliged  on  account  of  ill-health  to 
resign  the  command  January  22,  1863,  and  retire  to  private  life. 


452         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

CAPTAIN   COMPANY   B— ROBERT   S.   DUMONT. 

CAPTAIN  DUMONT  was  a  member  of  the  7th  Regiment  N.  G. 
S.  N.  Y.,  raised  the  first  company  for  the  5th  Regiment,  New 
York  Volunteers,  and  after  seeing  some  active  service  during  the 
earlier  months  of  the  war,  was  obliged  to  resign  October  i,  1861, 
on  account  of  ill-health,  the  effect  of  a  sun-stroke.  Subsequently 
he  was  appointed  Secretary  to  Rear-Admiral  Bell,  commanding 
Pacific  Squadron,  December  n,  1861,  with  the  rank  of  Lieuten- 
ant in  the  Navy.  Was  appointed  Judge  Advocate  General  of 
Squadron  May  9,  1863.  Resigned  his  commission  on  account  of 
continual  ill-health,  March  i,  1864,  and  died  a  few  years  afterward. 


CAPTAIN   OF   COMPANY  C-HENRY   E.   DAVIES,  JR. 

HENRY  E.  DAVIES,  JR.,  son  of  Judge  Davies,  for  many  years 
Chief-Justice  of  the  Court  of  Appeals,  and  a  nephew  of  Professor 
Davies,  Instructor  of  Mathematics  at  the  United  States  Military 
Academy,  West  Point.  He  was  a  strict  disciplinarian  and  a 
brave  and  dashing  officer.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service 
April  23,  1 86 1,  as  a  Captain  in  the  5th  Regiment,  and  went  with 
it  to  Fortress  Monroe  ;  took  an  active  part  in  several  scouting  ex- 
peditions, and  in  the  battle  of  Big  Bethel,  where,  he  greatly  dis- 
tinguished himself  by  his  coolness  and  bravery  under  fire.  Two 
days  after  the  battle  he  visited  Yorktown  under  a  flag  of  truce, 
to  look  after  the  wounded,  and  to  obtain  the  body  of  Major  Win- 
throp,  aide  to  General  Butler,  who  was  killed  in  the  engagement. 
When  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Baltimore,  Captain  Davies 
went  with  it,  and  shared  in  the  arduous  duties  of  building  Fort 
Federal  Hill,  which  work  was  performed  during  the  hot  summer 
months.  He  was  commissioned  Major  of  the  2d  New  York  Cav- 
alry (Harris'  Light)  August  27,  1861,  and  went  to  Washington, 
where  the  Regiment  was  being  concentrated.  Took  command 
of  the  1st  battalion  there  in  camp,  and  from  that  time  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  remained  with  the  Army  of  the.  Potomac.  Was 
commissioned  Lieutenant-Colonel  2d  New  York  Cavalry,  De- 
cember 30,  1862  ;  Colonel,  January  24,  1863  ;  appointed  and  aft- 


Personal  Sketches.  453 

erward  commissioned  as  Brigadier-General,  United  States  Vol- 
unteers, September  16,  1863,  and  assigned  to  command  of  the 
1st  brigade,  3d  division,  cavalry  corps,  Army  of  Potomac  ;  April 
25,  1864,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  ist  brigade,  2d 
division,  cavalry  corps  ;  received  Brevet  of  Major-General  United 
States  Volunteers  October  i,  1864,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
conduct,  and  was  commissioned  Major-General  United  States 
Volunteers  June  9,  1865,  with  rank  from  April  6,  1865,  which 
appointment  was  confirmed  by  the  Senate.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  General  Davies  was  assigned-  to  duty  in  the  middle  district 
of  the  Department  of  Alabama,  where  he"  remained  until  Decem- 
ber, 1865,  when  he  resigned  his  position  in  the  army  and  re- 
turned to  civil  life.  General  Davies  was  engaged  in  nearly  all 
of  the  battles  and  raids  of  the  cavalry  corps  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  in  which  he  was  especially  distinguished,  and  was  al- 
ways found  at  the  post  of  danger,  serving  in  company  with  such 
distinguished  officers  as  Custer,  Kilpatrick,  Buford,  Gregg,  Mer- 
ritt,  Devin,  and  others,  and  was  considered  to  be  one  of  the  most 
able  and  effective  leaders  of  cavalry  in  the  service.  He  was  par- 
ticularly distinguished  in  the  severe  engagement  at  Br  ndy 
Station,  one  of  the  hardest  fought  cavalry  fights  of  the  war.  In 
one  of  these  engagements,  he  and  a  few  others  were  entirely  sur- 
rounded, and  they  literally  hewed  their  way  through  the  ranks 
of  the  enemy,  and  escaped  capture.  He  also  served  under  Gen- 
eral Sheridan,  by  whom  he  was  highly  prized.  He  always 
promptly  and  successfully  executed  the  orders  of  that  distinguish- 
ed soldier,  and  was  with  him  in  the  final  movements  at  Five  Forks. 
To  enumerate  all  the  b  .ttles,  raids,  and  skirmishes  in  which  he 
was  engaged  would  be  equivalent  to  summarizing  the  history  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  but  whoever  reads  the  history  of  that 
army,  will  notice  that  the  name  of  Major-General  Henry  E. 
Davies,  Jr.,  occupies  a  prominent  place. 

The  following  sketch  from  the  New  York  Evening  Post,  No- 
vember 15,  1866,  narrates  in  a  condensed  form  the  services  of 
General  Davies  : 

"  In  making  arrangements  preparatory  to  the  new  army  organi- 
zation, General  Grant  recently  applied  to  General  Sheridan  for 


454         Fifth  New   York   Volunteer  Infantry. 

the  names  of  the  twelve  most  distinguished  officers  who  had 
served  under  him  in  the  cavalry  during  the  war,  it  being  General 
Grant's  wish  to  appoint  them  as  field  officers  in  the  new  organi- 
zation. General  Sheridan  immediately  wrote  to  General  Davies, 
saying  that  he  had  selected  him  as  one  of  the  twelve,  and  re- 
quested him,  if  willing  to  accept  such  appointment,  to  signify  his 
purpose  by  letter  to  General  Grant.  General  Davies,  however, 
had  already  resigned  his  commission,  and  resolved  to  devote 
himself  to  the  practice  of  law,  which  he  abandoned  on  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war ;  and  he  therefore  wrote  to  General  Sheridan 
gratefully  declining  the.  proposed  honor. 

"The  young  gentleman  to  whom  this  high  compliment  was 
paid  has  a  remarkable  record.  He  entered  the  army  in  April, 
1861,  as  a  Captain  in  the  Duryee  Zouaves.  His  first  battle  was 
at  Big  Bethel,  in  which  he  was  actively  engaged.  He  was  soon 
after  transferred  to  the  Harris  Light  Cavalry,  by  order  of  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  with  the  commission  of  Major.  He  was  thence 
successively  promoted  to  the  office  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  and 
Colonel,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1863  he  was  appointed  Brigadier- 
General.  He  was  subsequently  breveted  Major-General  for  his 
gallantry  in  the  fight  at  Hatcher's  Run,  in  October,  1864.  His 
greatest  single  exploit  was  his  attack  on  a  body  of  1,500  Confed- 
erate troops  intrenched  at  Sailor's  Creek.  He  literally  led  this 
attack,  in  having  been  the  first  man  to  leap  the  intrenchments, 
and  although  his  numbers  were  inferior  to  the  enemy,  he  captur- 
ed the  entire  force,  with  four  pieces  of  artillery  and  twelve  stand 
of  colors.  For  this  victory  he  received  a  Major -General's 
commission." 

General  Davies  was  engaged  in  more  than  forty  battles,  and  had 
no  less  than  fifteen  horses  shot  under  him,  but  by  marvelous  good 
fortune  he  was  not  once  wounded  to  the  extent  of  drawing  blood, 
a  tew  bruises  being  the  sum  total  of  injuries  that  he  received. 


CAPTAIN   OF   COMPANY   D— JAMES   L.   WAUGH. 

JAMES  L.  WAUGH  was  a  Captain  in  the  7th  Regiment  N.  G. 
S.  N.  Y.,  and   Drill   Officer  to   the  Metropolitan   Police.     He 


Personal  Sketches.  455 

brought  his  company  up  to  an  efficient  state  of  discipline  and 
drill  in  the  manual  of  arms  and  field  tactics.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  first  campaign  of  the  regiment  at  Old  Point  Comfort. 
Receiving  a  commission  in  another  regiment  as  Major,  he  resigned 
from  the  Fifth  August  9,  1861. 


CAPTAIN   OF   COMPANY  E— HIRAM   DURYEA. 

HIRAM  DURYEA  had  received  a  thorough  military  education 
before  the  war,  and  was  also  for  eight  years  Adjutant  of  the  48th 
Regiment  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  (the  Oswego  regiment).  He  was  com- 
missioned Captain  in  the  Fifth  May  9,  1861  ;  Lieutenant-Colonel 
September  7th;  Colonel  October  29,  1862,  being  the  third  Colo- 
nel of  the  Fifth.  He  was  acting  in  command  of  the  regiment 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  Peninsular  campaign,  Colonel 
Warren  being  in  command  of  the  brigade.  He  was  a  very  strict 
disciplinarian,  and  in  the  line  of  duty  was  impartial  alike  to  both 
officers  and  men,  requiring  of  all  in  their  different  spheres  a  strict 
attention  to  their  duties.  In  personal  intercourse  he  was  always 
to  be  met  as  the  accomplished  gentleman.  He  greatly  distin- 
guished'himself  during  the  seven  days'  retreat,  although  he  was 
ill  and  suffering  from  a  malarial  disease,  contracted  by  constant 
exposure  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  where  he  was  obliged  to  be 
on  duty  night  and  day,  parts  of  the  regiment  being  detailed 
at  widely  separated  points,  in  different  batteries  and  on  working 
details,  incidental  to  the  siege.  At  the  desperate  engagement  at 
Games'  Mill  June  27,  1862,  he  disdained  to  dismount  from  his 
horse  during  the  hottest  part  of  the  fight,  and  stood  the  fire 
unflinchingly,  keeping  close  to  his  men  in  the  several  charges  that 
were  made,  and  animating  them  by  his  voice  and  example.  His 
health  continuing  to  fail,  and  becoming  conscious  that  he  could 
not  continue  in  command  of  the  regiment  during  a  winter  cam- 
paign and  do  it  justice,  as  well  as  to  prolong  his  own  life,  he  re- 
luctantly resigned  November  12,  1862,  after  eighteen  months'  ar- 
duous service.  The  regiment  thus  lost  the  services  of  a  skillful, 
brave,  and  courageous  officer,  who,  had  he  been  able  to  remain 
in  the  service,  would  undoubtedly  have  risen  to  a  high  rank. 


45 6        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

He  received  the  brevet  of  Brigadier-General  for  his  distinguished 
services  in  the  field. 


RESIGNATION   OF  COLONEL   HIRAM   DURYEA. 

HEADQUARTERS  STH  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  V.,  \ 
CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  VA., 

December  5,  1862.  ) 

At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  5th  Regiment,  New  York 
Volunteer  Infantry,  held  at  their  camp  near  Falmouth,  Virginia, 
the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

WHEREAS,  It  became  necessary  for  Colonel  Hiram  Duryea  to 
tender  his  resignation  owing  to  a  protracted  sickness,  contracted 
during  the  arduous  campaigns  on  the  Peninsula  and  in  Maryland, 
be  it 

Resolved,  That  while  regretting  the  loss  of  so  valuable  an 
officer  we  feel  that,  knowing  his  inability  from  physical  prostra- 
tion to  do  h:s  duty  longer  to  his  regiment  and  country,  and  his 
high  sense  of  honor  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman,  have  led  him 
to  take  this  step. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  loss  of  Colonel  Hiram  Duryea  the 
country  loses  the  services  of  a  brave,  but  not  rash,  a  prudent, 
but  fearless  officer;  the  regiment  a  true  friend  and  soldier.  May 
his  future  be  as  honorable  as  his  past,  and  may  he  soon  be 
restored  to  health  to  finish  the  career  of  his  soldier  life  so  credit- 
ably begun. 

G.  K.  Warren,  Brigadier-General  Volunteers,  formerly  Colonel 

5th  New  York  Volunteers. 

A.  S.  Marvin,  Jr ,  Captain  and  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 
Gordon  Winslow,  Chaplain  5th  N.  Y.  V. 
A.  L.  Thomas,  Captain,  A.  Q.  M. 
Cleveland  Winslow,  Major  Commanding  5th  N.  Y.  V. 
George  Duryea,  Captain  5th  N.  Y.  V. 
A.  Sidney  Chase,  Lieutenant  and  Acting  Adjutant. 
Charles  S.  Montgomery,  Captain  Company  C. 
James  McConnell,  Captain  Company  H. 
James  H.  Lounsberry,  Captain  Company  K. 


Personal  Sketches.  457 

J.  Henry  Whitney,  Captain  Company  A. 
Stephen  W.  Wheeler,  Captain  Company  F. 
John  S.  Raymond,  ist  Lieutenant  Company  E. 
Thomas  R.  Martin,  ist  Lieutenant  Company  G. 
Roderick  M.  Gedney,  ist  Lieutenant  Company  K. 
William  Hoffman,  ist  Lieutenant  Company  B. 
George  L.  Guthrie,  ist  Lieutenant  Company  A. 
William  H.  Chambers,  ist  Lieutenant  Company  D. 
George  W.  Wannemacher,  ist  Lieutenant  Company  B. 
Gordon  Winslow,  Jr.,  2d  Lieutenant  Company  F. 
William  H.  Uckele,  2d  Lieutenant  Company  H. 
Albert  R.  Meldrum,  2d  Lieutenant  Company  I. 


CAPTAIN  OF  CO.  F— HENRY  A.  SWARTWOUT. 

HENRY  A.  SWARTWOUT  received  his  education  at  a  Military 
Academy  in  Maryland,  where  he  was  for  three  years  command- 
ant of  battalion.  He  was  an  able,  cool,  and  reliable  officer. 
Receiving  a  commission  as  First  Lieutenant  in  the  iyth  Infantry, 
U.  S.  A.,  he  resigned  from  the  Fifth,  August  12,  1861.  He  sub- 
sequently rose  to  the  rank  of  Captain  and  Brevet  Major,  August 
ist,  1864,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Department  of  Texas,  as 
Acting  Assistant  Inspector-General.  He  died  at  his  post  of 
duty,  at  Galveston,  Texas,  October  8,  1867.  He  was  born  in 
Louisiana,  in  the  year  1834, 


CAPTAIN  OF  COMPANY  G— ABRAHAM  DENIKE. 

ABRAHAM  DENIKE  was  a  member  of  the  27th  and  subse- 
quently of  the  7th  Regiment  N.  G.  for  thirty  years,  and  was 
a  Captain  in  the  latter.  At  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of 
hostilities  between  the  North  and  South,  he  had  retired  from 
active  business,  being  possessed  of  a  fortune,  accumulated  by 
years  spent  in  industry.  He  immediately  offered  his  services  to 
his  country  from  purely  patriotic  motives. 

Mrs.  Denike  was  much  opposed  to  his  going  to  the  war,  and 
20 


458        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

intimated  to  him  that  his  first  duty  was  to  his  family.  He 
replied  that  his  first  duty  was  to  his  God  ;  secondly,  to  his 
country  ;  and  last,  to  his  family.  He  received  a  commission 
April  20,  1 86 1,  as  Captain,  thus  making  him  the  senior  line 
officer  in  rank,  and  his  Company  was  assigned  to  the  right 
of  the  line.  He  was  a  brave  and  spirited  officer,  and  was 
respected  and  beloved  by  his  command,  who  looked  up  to 
him  as  their  father.  He  was  a  true  soldier  under  fire,  and 
never  faltered  on  the  long  marches.  Having  been  outranked 
in  the  Majorship  by  a  younger  officer,  he  resigned  his  com- 
mission, September  6,  1861.  The  men  of  his  Company  pre- 
sented him  with  a  sword  that  cost  $100,  as  a  token  of  their 
esteem.  He  was  subsequently  commissioned  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  raised  the  i$3d  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers. 
Colonel  Denike  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  7th  Regiment 
Veterans, 


CAPTAIN   OF  COMPANY   H— JUDSON    KILPATRICK. 

JUDSON  KILPATRICK  was  born  in  the  Valley  of  the  Clove, 
Northern  New  Jersey,  in  1838.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  took 
such  an  interest  in  politics  that  he  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the 
State  Convention.  He  entered  the  West  Point  Military  Academy 
June  20,  1856.  While,  there,  he  whipped  a  cadet  much  larger 
than  himself,  who,  for  some  trivial  cause,  had  attacked  him.  The 
battle  lasted  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  and  he  suffered  severely ; 
but  the  event  made  Kilpatrick  very  popular.  He  was  chosen  to 
deliver  the  valedictory  of  his  class,  in  which  he  graduated  fif- 
teenth. He  immediately  received  a  commission  as  Captain  of 
Volunteers,  and  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Company  H, 
5th  New  York  Volunteers.  He  took  a  very  active  part  in  the 
battle  of  Big  Bethel,  in  which  affair  he  greatly  distinguished 
himself.  He  was  severely  wounded,  and  did  not  recover  suffi- 
ciently to  take  the  field  again  until  September.  He  v\as  now 
made  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Harris  Light  Cavalry,  and  pro- 
moted to  First  Lieutenant  of  the  First  Artillery,  regular  army. 
He  was  made  a  member  of  the  Examining  Board  for  examining 


Personal  Sketches.  459 

cavalry  officers  of  the  volunteer  service,  and  Inspector-General 
of  McDowell's  division. 

In  March,  1862,  when  the  army  moved  on  Manassas,  his 
regiment  led  the  advance.  When  Pope  assumed  command  of 
the  army,  Kilpatrick  broke  up  the  railroad  running  from  Gor- 
donsville  to  Richmond,  thus  severing  Lee's  communications.  He 
marched  eighty  miles  in  thirty  hours,  spreading  ruin  and  con- 
'sternation  along  his  path.  He  was  continually  making  dashes 
against  the  enemy,  and  fighting  them  at  every  opportunity.  At 
one  time  he  rode  seventy-four  miles  in  twenty-four  hours,  be- 
sides having  several  fights  with  the  Confederates,  in  which  he 
had  several  hair-breadth  escapes.  On  another  occasion,  he 
found  a  paper  in  the  enemy's  camp,  stating  that  General  Stuart 
was  building  a  bridge  over  the  North  Anna  ;  so  he  left  a  note  for 
him,  telling  him  he  need  not  trouble  himself  farther  about  the 
bridge,  as  he  would  give  him  all  he  could  attend  to  on  the  other 
side.  In  the  disastrous  campaign  of  Pope  he  did  efficient  serv- 
ice, under  Bayard,  who  commanded  the  whole  cavalry  force, 
and  was  employed  chiefly  in  protecting  the  Rapidan  and  cover- 
ing the  retreat  of  the  army. 

When  Hooker,  in  command  of  the  army,  commenced  his  move 
on  Chancellorsville,  Kilpatrick  commanded  a  brigade  of  cavalry, 
and  General  Stonernan  sent  him,  with  about  four  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  to  burn  the  railroad  and  bridges  over  the  Chicka- 
hominy,  five  miles  from  Richmond.  He  rode  rapidly  forward, 
avoiding  the  large  bodies  of  the  enemy,  and  attacking  those 
whom  he  was  able  to  cope  with,  until  he  had  come  within  two 
miles  of  the  rebel  capital.  Here  he  captured  Lieutenant  Brown, 
aide  to  General  Winder,  and  eleven  men,  within  the  fortifications. 
Then  he  passed  down  to  Meadow  Bridge,  on  the  Chickahominy, 
which  he  burned,  and  ran  a  train  of  cars  into  the  river,  checked 
a  party  of  cavalry  sent  in  pursuit  of  him,  burned  a  train  of  thirty 
wagons  loaded  with  bacon,  and  captured  some  prisoners.  He 
resumed  his  march  down  the  Peninsula  at  one  o'clock  the  next 
morning,  and  surprised  a  force  of  three  hundred  of  the  enemy, 
capturing  two  officers  and  thirty-three  men,  burned  fifty-six 
wagons  and  the  depot,  containing  20000  barrels  of  corn  and 
wheat,  quantities  of  clothing  and  stores,  and  crossed  the  Matta- 


460        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

pony,  destroying  the  ferry  just  in  time  to  escape  the  Confederate 
cavalry  in  pursuit.  He  destroyed  a  third  wagon-train  and  depot, 
and  made  a  forced  march  of  twenty  miles,  followed  by  the  enemy. 
He  kept  on  his  way,  and  finally  found  safety  within  the  Union 
lines,  at  Gloucester  Point.  He  had  made  a  march  around  the 
Confederate  army  of  nearly  two  hundred  miles  in  less  than  five 
days,  having  captured  and  paroled  upwards  of  eight  hundred 
prisoners,  with  a  loss  of  only  one  officer  and  thirty-seven  men. 

When  Lee,  following  up  Hooker's  defeat  at  Chancellorsville, 
commenced  his  great  movement  around  Washington  into  Mary- 
land, the  cavalry  was  again  brought  into  active  service.  The 
enemy's  cavalry  being  massed  near  Beverly  Ford,  Pleasonton,  in 
command  of  the  Federal  cavalry,  moved  out  to  make  a  recon- 
noissance,  and  came  upon  the  enemy  at  Brandy  Station,  where 
the  severest  cavalry  fight  of  the  War,  thus  far,  took  place.  De- 
termined charges  were  made  on  both  sides,  hour  after  hour. 
Gregg  came  very  near  being  overborne,  when  Kilpatrick  made 
one  of  his  gallant  charges.  He  flung  out  his  battle-flag,  and 
with  the  Harris  Light,  loth  New  York,  and  ist  Maine,  came 
thundering  down — the  loth  New  York  in  advance.  It  fell  with 
a  shout  against  the  enemy's  squadrons,  but  rebounded  from  the 
blow  and  swung  off.  The  Harris  Light  repeated  the  charge, 
but  was  also  borne  back.  Stung  into  madness  at  the  sight  of 
his  own  regiment  repulsed  and  shattered,  he  flung  himself  at  the 
head  of  the  ist  Maine,  still  further  in  the  rear,  and,  moving  for- 
ward on  a  walk,  shouted :  "  Men  of  Maine,  you  must  save  the 
day  !  Follow  me." 

Closing  up,  the  regiment  marched  off  behind  its  leader,  who 
circled  to  the  right  till  he  got  on  the  flank  of  the  enemy,  when 
he  ordered  the  bugles  to  sound  the  charge,  and,  coming  down 
on  a  wild  gallop,  struck  the  enemy,  forcing  back  his  hitherto 
steady  line.  As  they  swept  past  the  other  two  shattered  regi- 
ments, Kilpatrick  shouted  out  over  the  tumult,  in  his  clear,  ring- 
ing tones  :  "  Back,  the  Harris  Light !  Back,  the  loth  New  York  ! 
Re-form  your  squadrons,  and  charge  !  " 

The  field  was  won ;  but  a  heavy  body  of  infantry  coming  up, 
Pleasonton  withdrew  across  the  Rappahannock. 

Kilpatrick  was  now  made  Brigadier,  and  in  the  fight  at  Aldie, 


Personal  Sketches.  461 

again  met  Lee.  Securing  a  strong  position,  he  resisted  every  at- 
tempt of  the  enemy  to  dislodge  him,  although  charge  after  charge 
was  made. 

Later  in  the  day,  when  his  squadrons  were  borne  back,  he 
again  put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  ist  Maine,  as  at  Brandy 
Station,  and  leading  it  in  person,  charged  with  such  desperation 
that  the  enemy  broke  and  fled.  His  horse  was  killed  under  him  in 
the  onset ;  but  mounting  another,  he  ordered  the  whole  line  to  ad- 
vance, and  drove  Lee  in  flight,  until  night  put  an  end  to  the  pur- 
suit. The  next  morning  he  made  a  sabre  charge  into  the  town 
of  Upperville,  driving  the  enemy  out. 

When  Meade  was  put  in  command  of  the  army,  Kilpatrick  was 
placed  in  command  of  a  division  of  cavalry,  numbering  5,000  men. 
He  was  in  constant  and  active  service.  He  captured  Ewell's 
long  train  of  wagons,  and  the  guard,  consisting  of  four  regiments, 
and  up  to  the  end  of  the  campaign,  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
his  division  had  captured  some  4,500  prisoners,  nine  guns,  and 
eleven  battle  flags. 

On  the  last  day  of  February,  1864,  Kilpatrick,  in  command  of 
4,000  men,  started  on  his  daring  raid  on  Richmond  for  the  pur- 
pose of  releasing  the  Union  prisoners  confined  there,  and  which 
created  such  consternation  and  dismay  in  the  Confederate  strong- 
hold. In  this  expedition  the  lamented  Dahlgren  was  killed. 

General  Kilpatrick  was  now  transferred  to  the  West  to  co- 
operate with  General  Sherman  in  his  campaign  against  Atlanta. 
At  Resaca  he  had  a  severe  battle,  but  held  this  important  point 
until  the  infantry  came  up,  but  he  was  severely  wounded  by  a 
rifle  ball,  which  barely  escaped  a  vital  point,  and  passed  out  at 
his  hip.  Before  he  was  again  able  to  take  the  saddle,  he  ascer- 
tained that  Sherman  was  in  front  of  Atlanta,  and  that  the  place 
must  fall  in  a  few  days.  Determined  not  to  lose  the  glory  of  par- 
taking in  the  final  movements  for  its  overthrow,  he  took  the 
next  train  and  rode  night  and  day  till  he  reached  his  command 
at  Cartersville.  Still  unable  to  sit  on  his  horse  he  rode  forward  in 
a  carriage  fitted  up  for  him,  and  joined  Sherman  before  Atlanta. 

During  Sherman's  great  march  to  the  sea,  having  received  a 
commission  as  Major-General  of  Volunteers,  he  commanded 
the  cavalry  corps,  and  performed  all  the  duties  of  the  advance, 


462        Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

skirmishing,  etc.,  and  in  covering  the  flanks  of  the  infantry  in 
that  great  march,  fighting,  burning,  and  laying  waste  the  coun- 
try when  the  opposition  of  the  enemy  made  it  necessary.  He  also 
performed  the  same  duties  on  a  subsequent  march  through  the 
Carolinas.  Near  Averysboro  he  had  a  severe  battle  with  the 
Confederate  infantry,  and  held  a  vital  point  until  the  infantry  of 
General  Slocum's  column  came  up. 

This  was  the  last  battle  in  which  Kilpatrick's  cavalry  took  an 
active  part,  and  here  he  rested  on  his  laurels.  He  issued  an  ad- 
dress to  his  troops,  closing  with  the  following  words  :  "  Soldiers, 
be  proud  !  of  all  the  brave  men  of  this  great  army,  you  have  a 
right  to  be.  You  have  won  the  admiration  of  our  infantry,  fight- 
ing on  foot  and  mounted,  and  you  will  receive  the  outspoken 
words  of  praise  from  the  great  Sherman  himself.  He  appreciates 
and  will  reward  your  patient  endurance  of  hardships,  gallant 
deeds,  and  valuable  services.  With  the  old  laurels  of  Georgia 
entwine  those  won  in  the  Carolinas,  and  proudly  wear  them. 
General  Sherman  is  satisfied  with  his  cavalry."  J.  T.  Headley,* 
from  whom  the  author  chiefly  compiles  the  foregoing  sketch,  re- 
marks :  "  Though  but  a  youth,  still  Kilpatrick  has  won  a  world- 
wide reputation.  He  is  in  every  respect  fitted  for  a  cavalry  com- 
mander, for  he  has  all  the  dash  necessary  to  success,  and  that 
chivalrous  daring  which  wins  the  admiration  and  love  of  the 
common  soldier." 


CAPTAIN   COMPANY   I— CHARLES   G.   BARTLETT. 

CHARLES  G.  BARTLETT  is  a  son  of  Professor  Bartlett,  of  the 
West  Point  Military  Academy,  and  had  received  a  military  edu- 
cation. At  the  commencement  of  hostilities  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  National  Guard,  and  was  commissioned 
as  Captain  in  the  5th  New  York  Volunteers.  Courteous  and  kind, 
he  endeared  himself  to  both  officers  and  men.  He  was  con- 
spicuous at  Big  Bethel  for  the  part  he  took  with  his  company  in 
skirmishing  in  the  advance  with  the  enemy,  and  for  his  coolness 
and  nonchalance  while  under  fire.  He  remained  by  the  side  of 


*  "  Grant  and  Sherman,  their  Campaigns  and  Generals." 


Personal  Sketches.  463 

the  lamented  Lieutenant  Greble  for  a  long  time  during  the  action 
while  the  latter  officer  was  sighting  his  guns  in  the  most  exposed 
part  of  the  field  of  battle.  He  continued  with  the  regiment  until 
he  received  a  commission  in  the  United  States  Army,  when  he 
resigned  from  the  Fifth,  September  n,  1861.  He  was  subse- 
quently Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers,  and  is  now  (1878)  Major 
and  Brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel  nth  United  States  Infantry. 


CAPTAIN  OF  CO.  K— CLEVELAND  WINSLOW. 

CLEVELAND  WINSLOW  was  born  May  26,  1836,  in  Medford, 
Mass.  He  received  a  collegiate  education,  and  in  1861  was  a 
member  of  the  7ist  Regt.  National  Guard,  in  which  organization 
he  had  served  seven  years.  He  was  possessed  of  a  robust  consti- 
tution, and  was  not  troubled  with  any  serious  sickness  during  all 
his  arduous  campaigning  services,  up  to  the  time  he  received  the 
wound  which  caused  his  death.  He  entered  the  5th  Regiment 
as  one  of  its  original  Captains,  the  eighth  in  rank ;  commanded 
Company  K  as  skirmishers  at  Big  Bethel,  and  was  mentioned  in 
orders  on  file  in  the  War  Department ;  commanded  as  Captain, 
four  companies  of  infantry,  one  light  battery  and  a  squadron  of 
lancers  at  Hanover  Court-house.  He  was  on  the  reserve  with 
his  regiment  at  Mechanicsville ;  acting  Major  at  the  battle  of 
Games'  Mill,  where  he  distinguished  himself  in  all  the  qualities 
that  make  a  good  soldier  ;  at  Charles  City  Cross-roads,  and  Mai- 
vern  Hill,  where  he  was  in  command  of  the  brigade  skirmishers, 
and  a  section  of  light  twelves ;  two  days  and  nights  in  command 
of  the  regiment  as  Captain,  at  the  battle  of  Manassas  Plains, 
where  his  horse  was  killed  by  seven  gun-shot  wounds  ;  com- 
manded the  regiment  as  Major  at  the  battle  of  Antietam ; 
commanded  as  the  fourth  and  last  Colonel  of  the  Fifth  at 
Fredericksburg,  and  had  command  of  the  trenches  on  the  night 
of  the  re-crossing  of  the  river.  At  Chancellorsville  he  com- 
manded the  skirmishers  of  Sykes'  division  of  regulars,  engaged 
four  times  with  the  enemy,  was  surrounded,  and  cut  his  way 


464        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

through  and  rejoined  the  command.  He  was  several  times 
mentioned  in  General  Orders  for  bravery,  etc.,  all  on  file  with 
reg'mental  papers.  Commanded  at  different  times,  the  3(1 
brigade,  2d  division,  5th  army  corps ;  and  also  at  times,  the  2cl 
division  (Sykes')  in  the  absence  of  the  General. 

Colonel  Winslow  served  during  the  Draft  Riots  in  New  York. 
The  daily  press  published  full  reports  of  those  riots,  in  the  sup- 
pression of  which  Colonel  Winslow  took  a  very  active  and  prom- 
inent part.  Colonel  Winslow  was  engaged  with  the  rioters  at 
the  corner  of  igth  Street  and  ist  Avenue. 

His  command  consisted  entirely  of  citizens,  although  the 
majority  of  them  had  seen  service  in  the  army.  They  enrolled 
themselves  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  preserving  the  peace  of 
the  city. 

They  did  not  exceed  one  hundred  in  number,  and  were  com- 
manded by  ex-officers  of  the  5th  New  York.  The  men  had 
been  enrolled  only  a  short  time,  and  had  little  or  ncv  drill.  They 
were  accompanied  by  two  howitzers.  The  resistance,  he  said, 
was  very  severe,  and  the  rebellious  citizens  fought  with  great  de- 
termination. Four  citizen  soldiers  were  killed,  and  a  number  of 
officers  and  citizens  wounded,  among  whom  was  Captain  Uckele, 
formerly  a  ist  Lieutenant  of  the  old  5th  New  York.  The  in- 
jured citizens  were  carried  into  a  house  between  I9th  and  2oth 
Streets.  Colonel  Jardine,  formerly  of  the  Hawkins  Zouaves,  was 
very  badly  wounded  in  the  thigh;  Dr.  White,  the  surgeon  of  the 
Hawkins  Zouaves,  volunteered  his  services  to  remain  with  him, 

After  this,  Colonel  Winslow  went  to  Colonel  Brown  and  ob- 
tained a  reinforcement  of  150  regulars  and  one  rifled  gun,  under 
command  of  Captains  Shelby  and  Putnam,  and  proceeded  to  the 
scene  of  action  and  brought  off  all  their  wounded  to  the  7th 
Regiment  Armory. 

During  the  action,  nine  rounds  of  canister  were  fired  into  the 
crowd.  Colonel  Winslow  gives  great  credit  to  the  officers  who 
were  on  the  ground,  for  the  steadiness  with  which  they  stood  to 
their  guns  under  the  galling  fire  with  which  they  were  assailed  on 
all  sides. 

About  eight  o'clock  a  crowd  of  four  or  five  thousand  assem- 
bled in  the  neighborhood  of  8th  Avenue  and  32d  Street.  They 


Personal  Sketches.  465 

beat  and  kicked  one  colored  man  almost  to  death  and  hung"  him 
to  a  lamp-post,  and  then  commenced  an  indiscriminate  onslaught 
on  all  the  negroes  they  could  find,  and  were  about  to  burn  ihe 
block  of  houses  chiefly  occupied  by  the  colored  people,  when 
Colonel  Winslow  made  his  appearance  on  the  scene  with  a 
strong  detachment  of  infantry  and  one  twelve-pound 'howitzer. 
The  howitzer  was  unlimbered  and  poured  a  deadly  charge  of 
canister  into  the  crowd.  Signs  of  resistance  were  evinced,  and 
an  evident  determination  to  wrest  the  gun  from  the  hands  of  the 
artillerists. 

The  infantry  received  the  order  to  fire,  and  again  a  shower  of 
bullets  thinned  the  crowd.  No  symptoms  were  evinced  of  their 
retiring,  and  the  howitzer  again  thundered  forth  a  deadly  dis- 
charge of  canister.  The  fire  was  by  this  time  too  hot  to  with- 
stand, and  with  shrieks  and  yells  they  commenced  to  scatter  in 
all  directions.  During  the  whole  time,  the  military  had  been 
under  a  strong  fire  of  stones,  missiles,  pistols,  and  gun-shots,  not 
only  from  the  crowd  in  their  front,  but  from  the  house-tops.  The 
crowd  dispersing,  orders  w^re  given  to  return.  After  cutting 
do.vn  the  body  of  the  negro,  the  military  commenced  to  fall 
slowly  back. 

The  crowd  at  once  reassembled,  and  closed  up  in  their  rear. 
Four  separate  times,  before  the  crowd  would  desist  from  the 
pursuit,  was  the  order  given  to  fire.  After  considerable  difficulty, 
Colonel  Winslow  and  his  command  returned  to  the  Arsenal,  hav- 
ing successfully  carried  out  the  orders  they  had  received.  It  was 
impossible  to  ascertain  anything  like  a  definite  or  reliable  ac- 
count of  the  casualties  among  the  people,  as  those  shot  were 
hastily  removed  by  their  friends.  A  number  of  the  military 
were  badly  hurt. 

GENERAL  WOOL'S  ACKNOWLEDGMENT  TO  COLONEL  WINSLOW. 

"TROY,  N.  Y.,  July  29,  1863. 

"SIR: — For  your  communication  of  the  25th  inst.,  received 
the  27th,  containing  a  detailed  account  of  your  services,  as  well 
as  of  other  officers  and  citizens,  in  quelling  the  recent  riot  in  the 
City  of  New  York,  I  tender  you  my  thanks. 

"  For  your  gallant  conduct,  and  all  who  took  part  with  you  in 

20* 


466        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

their  efforts  to  quell  the  riot,  you  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  and 
gratitude  of  your  fellow-citizens,  and  especially  the  wounded, 
among  whom  was  Colonel  Jardine,  who  was  seriously  injured. 

"  Being  all  citizens,  who  in  a  few  hours  were  organized,  under 
your  command,  at  the  Arsenal,  Seventh  Avenue,  where  they 
were  stationed  three  days  and  nights,  patrolling  the  avenue  and 
dispersing  the  mob  at  such  places  as  they  had  collected,  your 
services  will  no  less  be  remembered  than  appreciated  by  a  grate- 
ful people. 

"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  JOHN  E.  WOOL,  Major-General. 
"To  CLEVELAND  WINSLOW,  Coloml  $th  N.  Y.  Volunteers." 

The  following  is  a  letter  from  General  A.  A.  Humphreys, 
U.  S.  A.,  who  commanded  a  division  of  volunteers,  subsequently 
General  Grant's  Chief  of  Staff,  and,  after  the  resignation  of 
General  Hancock,  succeeded  the  latter  in  command  of  the  2d 
army  corps.  He  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General, 
U.  S.  A.,  and  Chief  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers — the  post  occupied 
by  him  at  the  present  time  (1878)  : 

"  CAMP  NEAR  FALMOUTH,  VA.,     ) 
"  June  10,  1863.  j 

"  DEAR  COLONEL  :  —  I  learn  that  you  are  endeavoring  or  de- 
sire to  raise  a  brigade  of  infantry,  the  skeleton  of  which  is  to  be 
formed  of  the  remnants  of  the  splendid  regiment  you  recently 
commanded — the  5th  New  York.  I  trust  you  may  be  successful 
in  your  efforts ;  for,  having  had  the  opportunity  of  knowing  you 
and  your  regiment  for  more  than  a  year,  during  the  latter  half 
from  almost  daily  observation  of  it,  in  the  severe  service  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  has  passed  through,  I  know  what  fine, 
well-prepared  material  you  will  have  out  of  which  to  give  form 
and  instruction  to  a  brigade  ;  and  I  know  well,  too,  how  admira- 
bly qualified  you  are  to  command  such  a  brigade.  Under  such 
auspices,  I  should  expect  to  find  the  reputation  of  the  brigade 
emulating  that  of  the  regiment,  which  was  equaled  by  few  in 
the  service — certainly  surpassed  by  none.  I  do  not  know  how  I 


Personal  Sketches.  467 

can  aid  you  in  carrying  out  your  wishes.     I  would  gladly  do  any- 
thing in  my  power  in  that  way. 

"  Wishing  you  every  possible  success, 

"  I  am,  very  truly,  yours, 

"  A.  A.  HUMPHREYS, 

"  Brigadier-General  Vols." 

Colonel  Winslow  organized  a  regiment  called  the  5th  Veter- 
ans, composed  of  men  who  had  been  mustered  out  with  the  dis- 
banded two  years'  regiments,  and  as  a  number  of  the  old  Fifth 
re-enlisted  in  this  new  organization,  either  as  privates  or  served 
as  officers,  the  following  notes  from  the  New  York  Daily  Times 
are  deemed  worthy  of  preservation  : 

"DEPARTURE   OF   THE   $TH   REGIMENT    N.   Y,   VOLS. — VETS. 

"  One  battalion  of  this  well-known  regiment  is  again  ready 
for  the  field,  and  will  leave  to-day,  the  23d  inst.,  under  its  old 
commander,  Colonel  Cleveland  Winslow.  All  the  officers  are 
gentlemen  who  have  had  two  years'  experience  in  the  field  ;  con- 
sequently, the  same  discipline  and  efficiency  will  continue,  and 
the  good  reputation  enjoyed  by  the  old  regiment  will  be  per- 
petuated in  its  successor.  The  ranks  have  been  filled  by  the 
consolidation  of  the  3ist,  37th,  and  part  of  the  38th  and  9th 
Regiments  New  York  Volunteers,  and  the  men  are,  with  few 
exceptions,  re-enlisted  men.  On  arriving  in  the  field,  the  bat- 
talion will  be  attached  to  the  2d  corps,  Major-General  G.  K. 
Warren,  under  whom  the  regiment  has  long  been  commanded. 
The  former  duty  done  by  this  regiment  is  too  well  known  to  re- 
quire recapitulation  ;  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that, 
under  Colonel  Winslow  and  his  officers,  many  brave  deeds  will 
be  added  to  the  record  this  regiment  has  already  placed  in  the 
history  of  the  war." 

HEADQUARTERS  $TH  ARMY  CORPS,  \ 

BETHESDA  CHURCH,  VA.,          v 

June  2,  1864,  9  A.M.  j 

THE  DURY£E  ZOUAVES. 

The  5th  New  York  Zouaves,  Colonel  Winslow,  deserve  special 
mention  for  the  part  they  took  in  yesterday's  engagements.  With 


468         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

other  reinforcements  they  had  just  arrived  from  Port  Royal,  Va. 
Travel- weary  and  begrimed  with  dust  from  their  long  clay's 
march,  General  Ayres'  regulars,  to  whose  brigade  they  had  been 
assigned,  proposed  to  let  them  rest. 

"  We  came  here  to  fight,  not  to  rest,"  said  the  Colonel. 

"  If  your  boys  want  to  fight  I  sha'n't  hinder  them,"  replied  the 
General. 

"  Do  you  want  to  go  into  the  fight  or  not  ?  "  the  Colonel  asked 
his  men,  after  explaining  his  interview  with  General  Ayres.  They 
chose  fighting,  and  they  fought  as  this  regiment  used  to  fight — 
heads  cool,  arms  steady,  aim  sure.  The  Old  Fifth  New  York 
Zouaves  have  a  reputation  as  lasting  as  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
The  new  regiment  shows  a  purpose  to  maintain  the  brilliant 
reputation  of  the  founders  of  its  name  and  imperishable  glory. 
Colonel  Win  slow  was  wounded  in  the  first  assault ;  but  after  the 
wound  was  dressed,  resumed  his  place  at  the  head  of  his  regi- 
ment. He  is  that  sort  of  man  who  will  stick  to  his  regiment  and 
to  fighting  as  long  as  he  holds  a  sword  and  can  sit  upon  a  horse. 

"  Colonel  Winslow,  wounded  during  the  recent  campaign  (at 
Chapin's  Ford),  is  reported  from  Washington  to  be  much  worse, 
with  but  little  hope  of  his  final  recovery.  The  ball  passed 
through  his  shoulder-blade,  causing  a  very  serious  injury." — 
New  York  Times,  L.  A.  HENDRICKS'  Dispatch. 

Colonel  Winslow  died  from  the  effects  of  his  wound  July  7,  1864, 
and  his  country  thus  lost  the  services  of  a  very  valuable  officer. 


FIRST   LIEUTENANT   OF   COMPANY   A— WILLIAM 
T.   PARTRIDGE. 

WILLIAM  T.  PARTRIDGE  rose  to  be  Captain  of  Company  I, 
and  was  killed  in  action  at  the  battle  of  Games'  Mill,  June  27, 
1862.  He  was  brave  to  rashness,  and  a  strict  disciplinarian. 
Captain  Partridge  had  a  presentiment  that  he  would  lose  his  life 
in  battle,  and  gave  directions  as  to  the  disposition  to  be  made  of 
his  body  if  he  should  fall.  He  was  a  very  strong  abolitionist,  and 
made  the  remark  to  a  gentleman  in  New  York  during  the  organi- 


Personal  Sketches.  469 

zation  of  the  regiment,  that  "  he  could  see  the  image  of  John 
Brown  with  outstretched  arms  ready  to  receive  him." 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  OF  COMPANY  B— GOUVERNEUR 
CARR. 

GOUVERNEUR  CARR  rose  to  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the  regi- 
ment, but  resigned  September  24,  1862,  having  been  commissioned 
as  Major  of  the  2d  battalion,  1 65th  Regiment,  New  York  Volun- 
teers, which  he  subsequently  commanded  as  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
until  it  was  mustered  out,  September,  1865.  He  was  wounded  se- 
verely at  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  on  the  Mississippi,  May  27, 
1863,  and  also  wounded  at  Sabine  Cross-Roads,  La.,  and  was 
breveted  Colonel  for  meritorious  services. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  OF  COMPANY  C— J.  FRANCIS 
EVANS. 

LIEUTENANT  EVANS  was  a  member  of  the  ;th  Regiment 
N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  He  was  a  quiet,  steady,  and  brave  officer.  He 
rose  to  a  Captaincy  in  the  regiment,  but  resigned  his  commission 
April  26,  1862,  on  account  of  ill-health  contracted  in  the  service, 


FIRST   LIEUTENANT   OF   COMPANY   D— WILBUR   F. 
LEWIS. 

LIEUTENANT  LEWIS  became  acting  Major  in  the  regiment, 
and  was  killed  in  the  action  of  Second  Bull  Run,  August  30, 
1862.  He  was  a  brave  and  efficient  officer;  he  refused  to  dis- 
mount from  his  horse  at  the  engagement  in  which  he  lost  his 
life,  notwithstanding  the  earnest  entreaties  of  the  men.  He  had 
two  brothers  in  the  regiment,  one  of  whom  was  killed  in  action, 
and  the  other  badly  wounded. 


470        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT   OF  COMPANY  E— GEORGE 
DURYEA. 

LIEUTENANT  DURYEA  was  a  member  of  the  48th  Regiment 
N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  He  served  actively  with  the  5th  Regiment  until 
receiving  a  very  severe  wound  at  the  battle  of  Games'  Mill,  June 
27,  1862,  while  in  command  of  a  company  as  Captain.  Upon  his 
recovery  he  returned  to  duty  again  with  the  regiment,  and  was 
promoted  successively  Major  and  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  was 
mustered  out  with  the  regiment  on  its  expiration  of  term  of  serv- 
ice, May  14,  1863,  as  Brevet  Colonel,  being  one  of  the  five  origi- 
nal officers,  including  the  Chaplain,  that  returned  with  the 
regiment. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  CO.  F  — OLIVER  WETMORE,  JR. 

LIEUTENANT  WETMORE  was  a  gentleman  of  education,  hav- 
ing graduated  with  high  honors  from  Columbia  College,  and  was 
a  Professor  in  the  College  of  the  City  of  New  York.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  7th  Regt.  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  He  served  with 
the  regiment  until  June,  1862,  when  his  health  yielded  to  the  ex- 
posure in  the  Peninsula  campaign,  and  he  applied  for  a  discharge, 
which  was  granted  June  30,  1862.  He  was  subsequently  com- 
missioned as  Major  in  the  I3th  Regt.  New  York  Heavy  Artillery. 
He  died  in  Washington  after  the  close  of  the  war. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  OF  CO.  G— JACOB  E.  DURYfiE. 

LIEUTENANT  DURYE"E,  son  of  General  Abram  Duryee,  was  a 
member  of  the  7th  Regt.  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  He  greatly  dis- 
tinguished himself  at  the  battle  of  Big  Bethel,  June  10,  1861, 
where  he  led  a  charge  with  a  handful  of  men  against  the  enemy's 
works.  He  was  made  a  Captain  in  the  Fifth,  and  in  September, 
1862,  was  commissioned  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  2d  Maryland, 
in  which  he  served  under  General  Burnsidc  in  North  Carolina, 


Personal  Sketches.  471 

and  under  General  Pope  in  Virginia ;  was  under  General  Mc- 
Clellan  during  his  Maryland  campaign,  at  South  Mountain,  and 
Antietam,  where  he  commanded  the  regiment.  He  was  subse- 
quently breveted  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers. 


FIRST   LIEUTENANT   OF   CO.  H— CHURCHILL  J. 
CAMBRELLING. 

LIEUTENANT  CAMBRELLING,  son  of  Judge  Cambrelling,  was 
a  member  of  the  7th  Regt.  N.  G.  He  was  in  the  engagements  at 
Big  Bethel,  Hanover  Court-house,  and  Games'  Mill,  etc.,  where 
he  was  distinguished  for  his  bravery.  He  was  promoted  to  a 
Captaincy  in  the  regiment  September  3,  1861.  Owing  to  the 
hardships  of  the  Peninsula  campaign,  his  health  became  im- 
paired, and  he  was  obliged  to  apply  for  a  discharge,  which  was 
granted  July  23,  1862,  He  was  a  fine  officer,  and  much  esteemed 
by  both  officers  and  privates  for  his  personal  qualities  and  char- 
acter. He  was  subsequently  commissioned  as  Major  in  the  loth 
Senatorial  District  Regiment. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  OF  CO.  I— JOSEPH  S.  YORK. 

LIEUTENANT  YORK  had  received  a  military  training,  and  was 
promoted  to  a  Captaincy  in  the  Fifth.  He  took  a  leading  part  in 
the  charge  on  the  enemy's  works  at  Big  Bethel,  in  which  he  was 
wounded.  He  served  with  the  regiment  until  August-  29,  1861, 
when  having  received  a  commission  as  Captain  in  the  1 5th  U.  S. 
Infantry,  he  resigned  his  command.  Subsequently  he  died  in  the 
performance  of  his  duties  in  the  regular  service,  after  the  war. 


FIRST  LIEUTENANT  OF  CO.  K— WILLIAM  H.  HOYT. 

LIEUTENANT  HOYT  was  a  gentlemanly  officer,  and  a  great 
favorite  with  the  men.     He  behaved  well  under  fire,  and  was  as 


472         Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

self-possessed  as  he  was  brave.     He  resigned  his  commission  in 
1862. 


SECOND  LIEUTENANT  OF  CO.  B— THEODORE  S. 
DUMONT. 

THEODORE  S.  DUMONT  was  a  member  of  the  ;th  Regt.  N.  G. 
He  was  in  the  engagement  at  Big  Bethel,  and  served  in  the  Pe- 
ninsula campaign,  during  which  he  was  transferred  to  the  Signal 
corps ;  he  rendered  efficient  service  in  the  corps  during  the  battle 
of  Malvern  Hill,  where  he  retained  his  position  under  fire  and 
signaled  the  gun -boats  to  direct  their  aim.  He  was  compli- 
mented for  this  service  in  General  Orders.  He  resigned  his 
commission,  having  been  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant  August  13, 
1862. 


SECOND  LIEUT.  OF  CO.  C— CHARLES  H.  SEAMAN. 

LIEUTENANT  SEAMAN  received  his  education  in  a  military 
school.     He  resigned  his  commission  June  2,  1861. 


SECOND  LIEUT.  OF  CO.  D— JOHN  A.  COCHRANE. 

LIEUTENANT  COCHRANE  was  a  member  of  the  ;ist  Regi- 
ment, National  Guard.  He  was  a  good  soldier  and  strict  dis- 
ciplinarian, and  passed  through  considerable  service  with  the 
regiment.  He  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  resigned 
his  commission  on  account  of  ill-health  December  29,  1862. 


SECOND   LIEUT.   OF   CO.  E— HENRY  H.  BURNETT. 

LIEUTENANT  BURNETT  was  an  admirable  officer,  and  well 
liked  by  the  members  of  the  regiment,  particularly  by  the  en- 


Personal  Sketches.  473 

listed  men,  to  whom  he  was  a  faithful  friend.  He  was  promoted 
to  a  Captaincy,  and  served  actively  with  the  regiment  up  to  the 
time  of  his  resignation,  October  16,  1862;  which  event  was 
much  regretted  by  the  men. 


SECOND  LIEUT.  OF  CO.  F— CARLISLE  BOYD. 

CARLISLE  BOYD  rose  to  a  Captaincy,  and  commanded  a  com- 
pany at  the  Second  Bull  Run  engagement,  where  he  was  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.  He  served  the  full  term  with  the  regiment, 
was  promoted  Major,  and  mustered  out  as  such  with  the  regi- 
ment, May  14,  1863.  He  was  subsequently  commissioned  as 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  served  in  the  Invalid  Corps  until  he  re- 
ceived a  commission  in  the  regular  army,  July  28,  1866,  where 
he  is  serving  at  present  (1878)  as  Captain  of  the  lyth  Infantry. 
He  was  breveted  Lieutenant-Colonel  U.  S.  Army  March  2,  1867. 


SECOND   LIEUT.  OF   CO.  G— JOSEPH   H.  BRADLEY. 

LIEUTENANT  BRADLEY  was  educated  at  a  military  academy. 
He  was  advanced  to  the  Captaincy,  was  slightly  wounded  at 
Games'  Mill  July  30,  1862,  and  went  into  another  regiment  as 
Chaplain. 


SECOND   LIEUT.   OF   CO.  H— JAMES  MILLER. 

LIEUTENANT  MILLER  was  a  member  of  the  7th  Regiment, 
National  Guard,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Fifth,  April  20, 
1 86 1.  Promoted  Second  Lieutenant  May  9,  1861.  Was  de- 
tailed by  General  Butler  as  Drill-Master  to  the  Union  Coast- 
Guard  July  I5th,  relieved  August  1 3th,  and  rejoined  the  regi- 
ment at  Baltimore.  He  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant,  and 
resigned  his  commission  September  6,  1861,  on  account  of  dis- 
ease contracted  in  the  line  of  his  duty. 


474        Fifth  New   York  Volunteer  Infantry. 

SECOND   LIEUT.  OF  CO.  I— J.  HENRY  WHITNEY. 


SECOND   LIEUT.  OF   CO.  K— WILLIAM  FERGUSON. 

LIEUTENANT  FERGUSON  was  a  gentlemanly  officer,  and  was 
much  esteemed  by  the  men.  He  was  mentioned  in  Colonel 
Duryee's  report  of  the  battle  of  Big  Bethel,  and  was  subse- 
quently promoted  to  a  First  Lieutenancy.  On  account  of  ill- 
health  he  resigned  his  commission  October  12,  1862.  He  after- 
ward received  a  new  commission,  and  recruited  a  company  for 
the  5th  Veterans. 


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.  .  Wounded  at  Gaines'  Mill  June  27,  1862  ;  transf.  to  i46th  N.  Y.  V.  May  4,  1863  ;  commis. 
2d  Lieut.  ;  killed  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va. 
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11  Adjt.  sth  Cav.  ;  Quart.  i2th  Cav.  Sept.  20,  1861. 
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II  .«  "  Nov.  28,  " 
.  .  Transf.  to  146*  N.  Y.  V.  May  4,  1863  ;  Bvt.  Capt.  Feb.  i,  1865. 
.  .  Capt.  i46th  N.  Y.  V.  ;  Bvt.  Maj.  Feb.  i,  1865  ;  assigned  to  Gen.Warren's  Staff;  commis. 
2d  Lieut.  24th  U.  S.  Inf.  ;  died  in  reg.  serv.  Jan.  24,  1876,  as  ist  Lieut.  14111  Inf. 
.  .  2d  Lieut.  5th  Vets. 
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Bvt.  Capt.,  etc.,  etc. 
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5th  Vets. 
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BREVET  MAJOR-GENERAL 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL  .  .  . 
BREVET  BRIGADIER-GENI 
COLONELS  
BREVET  COLONELS  
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS  . 
BREVET  LIEUTENANT-CO 

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BREVET  MAJORS  
CAPTAINS 

BREVET  CAPTAINS  
FIRST  LIEUTENANTS  .  . 

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Personal  Sketches.  485 

COLONEL  ROBERT  C.  BUCHANAN,  formerly  in  command  of 
the  1st  brigade,  Sykes'  division,  5th  army  corps,  died  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  November  29, 1878,  of  apoplexy.  He  graduated  from  the 
West  Point  Military  Academy  in  1830,  and  served  in  the  "  Black 
Hawk  War,"  and  in  the  war  against  the  Seminoles  in  1841-2. 
Served  actively  in  the  field  all  through  the  war  with  Mexico,  and 
during  the  great  Rebellion.  He  was  breveted  Major-General 
U.  S.  A.  March  13,  1865,  and  retired  from  active  service  Decem-. 
ber  31,  1870. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  WILLIAM  CHAPMAN,  formerly  in 
command  of  the  ?.d  brigade,  Sykes'  division,  graduated  from 
West  Point  July  31,  1831,  and  served  in  the  Mexican  war,  and 
in  various  campaigns  against  the  Indians.  He  was  breveted 
Colonel  U.  S.  A.  August  30,  1862,  and  placed  on  the  retired  list 
August  26,  1863. 


• 


TREATMENT  REPORT 

Camp  and  Field  Life  of  the  Fifth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry 

E523.5  5th  D3 

Condition: 

•  The  volume  had  a  case  binding  of  a  full  reddish-brown  cloth  cover.  The  signatures  were  sewn  on  three  raised 
cords.  The  sewing  was  rwo-on.  The  cover  had  joint  tears  (front  and  back),  corner  delimitation,  and  stains 
on  the  front,  and  was  detached  from  textblock.  Spine  cover  had  losses  on  the  head  and  tail.  The  headband 
was  missing.  The  spine  linings,  a  layer  of  mull  and  a  layer  of  thick  paper,  were  detached.  The  adhesive  used 
on  the  spine  had  completely  failed.  The  end  papers,  consisting  of  a  paste  down  and  a  fly  leaf,  had  edge  tears 
and  were  somewhat  brittle.  The  inner  joints  ot  the  end  paper  were  broken.  A  tattle  tape  was  adhered  on  the 
back  of  the  fly  leaf  (back).  The  text  paper  was  somewhat  brittle.  The  first  and  last  few  signatures  had  tears 
at  the  folds.  The  sewing  was  broken. 

Treatment: 

•  Volume  was  disbound. 

•  Leaves,  where  necessary,  were  guarded  with  Japanese  paper  and  wheat  starch  paste.  Tears  on  the  leaves 
and  end  papers  were  mended  with  Japanese  paper  and  wheat  starch  paste.  A  tattle  tape  on  the  fly  leaf 
was  removed  mechanically. 

(Guarding  and  mending  Japanese  paper  -  Kizukishi  -  Barrett,  University  of  Iowa,  Iowa) 
(Paste  -  Zin  Shoru  -  Conservation  Resources,  Virginia) 

•  Leaves  were  resewn  using  the  original  sewing  holes  plus  2  new  holes.  Unbleached  linen  thread 
(2/20)  and  linen  tapes  were  used  for  the  sewing  and  support. 

(Linen  thread  -  Barbour's,  Ireland) 

•  Linen  hinges  were  added  to  the  end  papers,  and  guarded  on  using  Japanese  paper  and  wheat  starch 
paste.  Then  the  hinges  were  sewn  on. 

(Linen  -  Bookmakers  •  Riverdale,  Maryland) 

(Guard  Japanese  paper  -  Kizukishi  -  Barrett,  University  of  Iowa,  Iowa) 

•  Spine  was  lined  with  2  layers  of  Japanese  paper  using  wheat  starch  paste,  and  then  with  3  layers  of 
Japanese  paper  using  PVA  mixutre. 

(Lining  paper,  2  layers  -  Kizukishi  -  Barrett,  University  of  Iowa,  Iowa) 

(Lining  paper,  3  layers  -  Hosokawa  -  Bookmakers) 

(PVA  Mixture  -  60%  PVA  and  40%  methyl  cellulose) 

(PVA  -  Talas,  New  York) 

(Methyl  cellulose  -  Archivart,  New  Jersey) 

•  Original  spine  cover  was  cut  along  the  joints  Both  the  cover  cloth  and  pastedowns  were  lifted  from  the  boards 
at  the  joint  edge  of  the  boards.  New  linen  cloth,  which  was  colored  with  acrylic  paints,  was  inserted  under 
the  lifted  cloth  on  the  boards,  and  the  boards  were  readhered  with  PVA  mixture.  Spine  stiffener  was  made 
of  10  pt  board,  and  adhered  on  the  tinted  cloth  with  PVA  mixture. 

(Acrylic  paint  -  Liquitex) 
(Linen  clothes  -  Bookmakers) 

(Spine  stiffener  -  Lignin-tree/10  pt-Conservation  Resources  -  Virginia) 

1    •     Sewing  support  tapes  and  linen  hinges  were  adhered  to  the  board,  and  then  the  lifted  paste  down  was 
readhered  with  PVA  mixture  and  wheat  starch  paste. 

•  Original  spine  cloth  were  trimmed  and  adhered  over  the  new  spine  cloth  with  PVA  mixture  and  wheat 
starch  paste. 

•  The  delaminated  boards  and  cloth  of  the  corners  were  consolidated  with  PVA  mixture  and  wheat  starch  paste. 

•  Treatment  report  was  laser  printed  on  handmade  paper  by  the  Library  Graphics  Department  using  a 
Macintosh  computer. 

•  Treatment  report  was  adhered  with  wheat  starch  paste. 
(Treatment  report  paper  -Thin  Laid/Delphi  -  Twinrocker  ) 

April,  2000 

Kazuko  Hioki,  Conservation  Intern  -  Rare  Books 

Conservation  Department,  University  of  California,  Berkeley 


